By Ali Semerci

BAGHDAD (AA): At least 18 people were killed and 100 injured Wednesday in twin suicide blasts in the Iraqi capital, according to a hospital authority and a local police officer.

The blasts occurred when unidentified terrorists detonated two bombs planted near a mosque used by Shia Muslim community in Baghdad’s Sadr City district, Lieutenant Khalil Al-Ziyab told Anadolu Agency.

Police sources said the suicide bombers were riding motorcycles and blew themselves up in a crowded mobile phone market.

An official from the nearby Al-Imam Hospital said they had received the dead and injured.

Police have stepped up security in the area, while no group has claimed responsibility.

In a statement circulated online, Daesh said it was responsible for the blasts: “Our swords will not cease to cut off the heads of the rejectionist polytheists, wherever they are,” it said, using derogatory terms for Shi’a Muslims.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said the attacks were in response to Daesh’ recent defeats: “This gang targeted civilians after it lost the initiative and its dregs fled the battlefield before our proud fighters,” he said on his official Facebook page.

An investigation has been launched into the attacks.

Additional report by The Muslim News and agencies

[Photo: Civil defense members carry out search and rescue works around the site after two bombs planted near a mosque used by the Shia Muslim community in Baghdad’s Sadr City district, in Baghdad, Iraq on June 06, 2018. Photographer: Murtadha Sudani/AA]