Up to 28 killed in twin suicide bomb attacks in downtown Baghdad

The death toll from two suicide bomb attacks that hit the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on Saturday, rose to 28 and 53 others injured, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua.

The attack occurred in the morning when a suicide bomber blew up his explosive vest at the crowded car spare part market in Sinak area, while another suicide bomber detonated himself near a post office in the same area, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Earlier in the day, the source said that the attacks were carried out by roadside bombs and put the toll at 19 killed and 45 wounded.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attacks, but the Islamic State (IS) militant group, in most cases, is responsible for such suicide attacks targeting areas where crowds of people gather, including markets, cafes and mosques across Iraq.

Terrorist acts, violence and armed conflicts killed 2,885 Iraqis and wounded 1,380 others in November across Iraq, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq said.

The attacks came as the Iraqi security forces backed by anti-IS international coalition are carrying out a major offensive to drive out the IS militants from its last major stronghold in and around Mosul.

Many blame the current chronic instability, cycle of violence, and the emergence of extremist groups, such as the IS, on the U.S., which invaded and occupied Iraq in March 2003.

source: Xinhua