IS attacks shopping mall in Baghdad

The Islamic State (IS) terrorist group has claimed responsibility for an attack on a supermarket in Baghdad that killed 18 people, along with a twin bombing in the north of the Iraqi capital that killed 24 people.

Scene of the attack. Photo: Reuters.

Iraqi authorities said the attack at the supermarket lasted about an hour on the evening of January 11, killing 18 people and injuring 50 others. In a statement posted online minutes later, IS said four jihadists riding a car bomb carried out the break-in.

The terrorists targeted a Shiite gathering. Iraqi officials said the attack was carried out by seven jihadists, one of whom died when he detonated his explosive vest. Iraqi soldiers rushed to the scene and entered through the roof. A gun battle ensued, with two militants killed and four others captured.

A police officer said the attackers entered the supermarket, took hostages after detonating a car bomb, and opened fire on the streets. Four police officers were killed in the gunfight. Immediately after the incident, the Baghdad city government ordered a lockdown of the entire Green Zone - where the Iraqi government headquarters and many foreign embassies are located.

Also on the same evening, a car bomb exploded in a crowded market in southeastern Baghdad, killing five people and injuring 12. Another double bombing was recorded at a cafe in the town of Muqdadiyah in Diyala province, 90km from Baghdad, killing 24 people and injuring 52. IS terrorists claimed responsibility for the bombing.

This series of terrorist attacks occurred at a time when IS suffered consecutive major defeats in Iraq, pushing terrorists to retreat to the northern and western regions, after losing the city of Ramadi, Anbar province.

According to News