By Ibrahim Salih
BAGHDAD (AA) – At least 80 people were killed early Sunday in a car bomb blast claimed by the Daesh terrorist group in the Iraqi capital Baghdad.
The bomb hit al-Karada, a busy shopping district in central Baghdad, at 01:00 a.m. local time (2200GMT), a security source told Anadolu Agency, requesting anonymity due to restrictions on speaking with the media.
The bombing first left 70 people dead and at least 133 others injured, according to a medical source.
The second bomb exploded in an outdoor market in the Shaab neighborhood of southeastern Baghdad, killing one and wounding five, police said.
[Iraqi people who lost their relatives mourn after a suicide car bombing, claimed by the terrorist organization DAESH, in the Karrada neighborhood of Baghdad, Iraq on July 03, 2016. ( Amir Saadi – Anadolu Agency )]
Sunday’s bombing was swiftly claimed by Daesh, which overran vast swathes of territory in northern and western Iraq in 2014.
In a statement circulated online, the terrorist group said that the bombing targeted Shias Muslims. The statement could not be independently verified.
Visiting the bombing site, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi connected the attack to recent Daesh territorial losses, saying, “The terrorists carried out the bombing in the al-Karada district after being crushed in the battle of Fallujah,” and vowed to punish the perpetrators and Daesh.
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the bombing, saying: “We condemn this outrageous attack and we wish mercy for those who lost their lives in this attack, hope the wounded recover quickly, and express our condolences to the Iraqi nation.”
Additional reporting by The Muslim News
[Photo: Damaged car is lifted after a suicide car bombing, claimed by the terrorist organization DAESH, in the Karrada neighborhood of Baghdad, Iraq on July 03, 2016. Photographer: Amir Saadi/AA]
