By Amir al-Saadi
BAGHDAD (AA) – At least 47 people were killed and more than 50 others injured on Thursday when a massive car bomb went off in western Baghdad, according to an Iraqi federal police officer.
The attack targeted a car dealership in Baghdad’s western Al-Bayaa neighborhood, Police Lieutenant Yasser Basem told Anadolu Agency.
Turkey strongly condemned the attack.
“We wish Allah’s mercy upon those who lost their lives [and a] speedy recovery to the wounded,” a Turkish Foreign Ministry statement said.
“Turkey will continue to support our Iraqi brothers in their fight against terrorism,” it added.
The bombing comes one day after a similar car-bomb attack in Baghdad’s eastern Sadr City suburb — which also targeted a car dealership — that left 12 people dead.
While no group has claimed responsibility for Thursday’s deadly bombing, the Iraqi authorities typically blame the Daesh terrorist group for such attacks.
[Photo: A day earlier there was suicide car bomb attack in Baghdad. Firefighters try to extinguish fire at the site of a suicide car bomb attack in the eastern Habibiya neighborhood of Baghdad, Iraq on February 15, 2017. The attack killed at least 12 and wounded over 30 others. Photographer: Muhabiri Murtadha Sudani/AA]