By Iyad en-Nablusi
BAGHDAD (AA) – The Daesh/ISIS terrorist group has claimed responsibility for Monday’s suicide bombing in Iraq’s capital Baghdad which left 35 people dead and 60 others injured.
In a statement, the terror group the group’s Nasheer news agency said on its Telegram channel that its suicide bomber Abu Hamza al-Iraqi carried out the suicide attack in a busy market in the capital Baghdad on eve of Eid Al-Adha.
The blast took place in the al-Wuhaylat public market, Sadr City district, during rush hour, according to an official from Baghdad Health Directorate.
Eight women and seven children were among the dead.
The Prime Minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, held an urgent meeting with top security commanders to discuss the attack, the premier’s office said in a brief statement.
In a statement, children’s agency UNICEF confirmed that children were killed and injured in the attack.
“This horrific attack right before Eid Al-Adha is a terrible reminder of the violence Iraqi children continue to face,” it said.
Iraqi President Barham Salih said the bombing in the densely populated majority-Shia Muslim suburb of Sadr City a “heinous crime” and offered his condolences.
tweeted: “They are targeting our civilians in Sadr City on the eve of Eid,” Salih said in a message on Twitter. “They do not allow people to rejoice, even for a moment.”
Iraqi authorities are continuing their search and rescue efforts, and it is feared that the number of casualties may increase.
Islamic State also bombed the crowded Tayaran Square market in central Baghdad killing more than 30.
Additional report by The Muslim News
[Photo: Iraqi security forces and citizens inspect the site after suicide bombing by ISIS at Al-Wahilat market in Sadr district of Baghdad, Iraq on July 19, 2021. Photographer: Murtadha Al-Sudani/AA]
