Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki vowed late Tuesday to hunt down all the terrorists behind the deadly attacks that have claimed the lives of hundreds of people

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki vowed late Tuesday to hunt down all the terrorists behind the deadly attacks that have claimed the lives of hundreds of people since May 14.

“The cabinet has seriously discussed today all the challenges facing the security situation and the steps that the council of ministers should adopt to confront the current crisis,” Maliki said.

“The cabinet has also unanimously agreed to send a message that they have all agreed to shoulder the responsibility to face the outlaws, regardless of their affiliations, doctrines and their political parties," he added.

The motive behind the bloodshed was to return Iraq to the "dark days" of the past decade, Maliki stated.

"We will chase all kinds of outlawed militias and gangs that want to instigate a wave of sectarian conflict and violence which as far as we are concerned constitute a red line," he noted.

On Tuesday, a total of 27 people were killed and dozens of others injured in several attacks across Iraq, according to Iraqi security and hospital sources.

The incidents are the latest in a string of attacks that have left about 530 people dead and at least 1,300 wounded this month.