ISIS targets Iraqi capital ending recent lull in violence

ISIS has claimed responsibility for a series of attacks on the Iraqi capital, Baghdad on 11th January. At least 19 people were killed and 48 others injured in an attack on the al-Jawhara shopping centre. Four gunmen wearing suicide jackets reportedly stormed the mall after detonating a car bomb outside the complex. The police retook control of the shopping centre, killing the attackers and denying that hostages had been taken. Seven other people were killed in a separate bomb attack in the capital, but as yet, no group has claimed responsibility. The attacks, which are the deadliest in three months, come following a relative lull in militant activity. Observers have however suggested that recent ISIS losses, particularly of the key town of Ramadi, have given the group renewed impetus, prompting a fresh offensive in Baghdad. According to the UN, 261 civilians were killed in violence in greater Baghdad province in December and 787 others were injured, bringing the total number of people (civilians and police) killed in the country during 2015 to more than 22,000.

ISIL claims responsibility for separate attacks targeting shopping centre in Baghdad and cafe in Muqdadiya in Diyala.

A series of bombing attacks and shootings across Iraq have left scores dead and dozens more wounded, security officials say.

At least 32 people were killed and 58 injured in an attack on the al-Jawhara shopping centre in the capital, Baghdad, on Monday, according to police sources.

The assailants charged into the mall after a car bomb exploded outside the building, located in the predominantly Shia neighbourhood of New Baghdad.





Police regained control of the mall and officials said that all attackers had been killed.

A senior security official told state television that there were no hostages, rejecting reports that there had been people held.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group claimed responsibility for the attack, as well as for a later attack in Diyala province.

Seven others were killed in a separate bombing in Baghdad, which has not been claimed by any group so far.

In the town of Muqdadiya in Diyala province, 80km northeast of Baghdad, a twin suicide bombing killed another 42 people at a cafe.

The second bomb went off as medics and civilians gathered at the site of the first blast.

Monday’s attacks exacted the biggest death toll in the country in three months.