Baghdad ( CNN ) -- Former Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi has harsh words for his successor , Nuri al-Maliki . `` He does n't believe in power sharing . He does n't believe in reconciliation . He knows very well that reconciliation will bring about radicalized democracy in this country , and it seems , he does n't want -- he 's not for democracy , '' Allawi told CNN in Baghdad on Tuesday . He said the result of such a position is breaking the country apart , allowing forces of extremism to flourish . `` Unfortunately , the country is moving on a sectarian route now , which was very dangerous to start with in the very beginning . And I warned all the leaders in the world and the region that unless this is averted , then Iraq really is on the -- has started a civil war , but has n't reached the point of no return . `` Once they reach the point of no return then , unfortunately , all the whole region will burn up , '' he said . The war in Syria and sectarian tensions have played a part in the recent surge in violence in Iraq . The United Nations said 2013 was the deadliest year in Iraq since 2008 , with almost 8,000 people killed , most of them civilians . Critics of Iraq 's current government argue that al-Maliki failed to usher in a political era of inclusion and reconciliation , as promised . They say the Sunni minority , which ruled Iraq via the iron fist of Saddam Hussein , is at the political and social mercy of al-Maliki 's Shia-dominated government . Today , they say , `` inclusiveness '' never materialized , Sunnis have been marginalized and resentment has festered in a divide-and-conquer political climate . As one local put it , `` It 's like if you 're against us , you 're a terrorist and we 'll arrest you . '' This resentment , aided by the violent government shutdown of Sunni protest camps , provided an opening for the al Qaeda-linked Islamic State of Iraq and Syria ( ISIS ) to move into the Sunni heartland of Anbar Province in force . When asked about the United States ' backing of al-Maliki 's government , Allawi stressed that such support should be qualified . `` It 's up to them , '' he said . `` But they should also clarify to Maliki that their support is conditional , on inclusivity of the political process , and respecting the Constitution , and respecting human rights . '' The former prime minister spoke the same day police officials reported at least 10 people were killed and 32 wounded in bombings in the nation 's capital . The deadliest attack was in western Baghdad 's Ghazaliyah neighborhood , where a car bomb detonated in the evening , killing at least six people and wounding 13 . Earlier , a car bomb exploded in Baghdad 's predominantly Shiite area of Sadr City , killing at least four people and wounding 10 . At least nine people were wounded in a roadside bombing in Baghdad 's predominantly Shiite district of Kadhimiya .
The former prime minister takes aim at his successor , Nuri al - Maliki . ` ` He does n't believe in power sharing . He does n't believe in reconciliation , '' Allawi says . He warns a civil war is under way in Iraq , but that it has n't reached the point of no return . At least 14 people are killed and 30 wounded in Baghdad on Tuesday .