Deadly Double Suicide Bomb Attack Hits Baghdad
No group claimed responsibility for the attack, but Islamic State has carried out numerous bombings in the Iraqi capital in the past
A pair of suicide bombers blew themselves up in Iraq's capital Monday, killing at least 31 people and wounding many others. The blasts happened in Tayran Square in central Baghdad during the morning rush hour. The area is a commercial center that is crowded with laborers looking for work. Ninety people were injured, three of them in critical condition, Dr. Saif a-Bader, Iraq's health ministry's spokesman, told VOA's Kurdish service. “There are 26 martyrs, and 90 more people are injured. Three of them are in critical condition. Thirty-six of the wounded remain in hospital," he said. "On behalf of health ministry’s employees, we condemn this criminal and cowardly attack against innocent civilians," he added. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but past bombings have been carried out by Islamic State militants. The group took control of much of northern and western Iraq more than three years ago. A series of Iraqi military offensives, aided by militias and the backing of a U.S.-led coalition conducting airstrikes, slowly pushed IS out of major cities and other areas it held. Last month, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory over the militant group, but insurgent attacks have continued in various parts of Iraq.