Islamic State-claimed Baghdad blasts death toll rises to 119

Mangalore Today News Network

Baghdad July 03, 2016 : At least 119 people were killed on Sunday in two bombings in the Iraqi capital, including a large-scale attack claimed by the Islamic State group that killed at least 15 children in a central shopping district, officials said.

The bombings demonstrated the extremists’ ability to mount significant attacks despite major battlefield losses, including the city of Fallujah, which was declared “fully liberated” from IS just over a week ago.

The deadliest attack took place in the central Karada district of Baghdad, where a suicide bomber blew up his explosives-laded pickup truck outside a crowded shopping center, killing at least 86 people and wounding up to 170 others, according to a police officer. He said the dead included 15 children, 10 women and six policemen.

The suicide bomber struck shortly after midnight, when families and young people were out on the streets after breaking their daylight fast for the holy month of Ramadan.