Baghdad blast kills 12, injures 28

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – A car bomb exploded in a busy market area on early morning Monday in eastern Baghdad, killing and wounding dozens.

An explosive-laden car ripped through a grocery market in the Shia-populated district of al-Sadr in Baghdad, killing at least 12 and wounding 28, the Iraqi officials said.

A medical official speaking to AP on condition of anonymity confirmed the casualty figures.

“A plume of thick black smoke billowed from the area and people were running away in panic. At the site, twisted metal and shards of glass littered the pavement, along with vegetables and other goods sold at the market,” the reporter said describing the scene of the explosion.

In an online statement released on Monday, the so-called Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for an attack in the Iraqi capital.

The report mentioned the car bomb targeted “a Shia gathering” in the al-Sadr district of Baghdad.

Locals continue to complain to the Iraqi security forces for failing to provide security and stability in the capital of Iraq.

Editing by Ava Homa