Twin suicide bombings ripped through a busy market in Central Baghdad, killing at least 32 people and wounding dozens. No one immediately took responsibility for the attack, but Iraqi military officials said it was the work of the Islamic State group.
The rare suicide bombing attack hit Central Baghdad amid heightened political tensions over planned early elections and a severe economic crisis. At least 32 people were killed and 110 others were wounded in the attack, some of the wounded are in serious condition. The Health Ministry announced that all of its hospitals in the capital were mobilized to treat the wounded.
Major General Tahsin al-Khafaji, spokesman for the Joint Operations Command, said the first suicide bomber cried out loudly that he was ill in the middle of the bustling market, prompting a crowd to gather around him and that’s when he detonated his explosive belt. The second detonated his belt shortly after.
The suicide bombings marked the first in three years to target Baghdad’s bustling commercial area. A suicide bomb attack took place in the same area in 2018 shortly after then-Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi declared victory over the Islamic State group.
