Twin suicide bombing attack on Baghdad market leaves dozens dead
Twin suicide bombings have ripped through a busy market in the Iraqi capital, killing at least 28 people and wounding 73 others, officials said.
The rare suicide bombing attack hit the Bab al-sharqi commercial area in central Baghdad amid heightened political tensions over planned early elections and a severe economic crisis.
Blood smeared the floors of the busy market amid piles of clothes and shoes as survivors took stock of the disarray in the aftermath.
Iraq's military said at least 28 people were killed and 73 wounded in the attack and said some of the injured were in serious condition.
The country's Health Ministry announced all of its hospitals in the capital were mobilised to treat the wounded.
An interior ministry statement said the first bomber rushed into the market, claiming to feel sick. When people gathered around him he detonated an explosive belt he was wearing.
"One [bomber] came, fell to the ground and started complaining 'my stomach is hurting' and he pressed the detonator in his hand. It exploded immediately," one stall holder told Reuters news agency. "People were torn to pieces."
The second bomber detonated as others came to help the victims, according to the interior ministry.
The attack occurred as security forces pursued two suicide bombers who detonated their explosives in the market near Tayaran Square, according to military spokesman Yahya Rasool.
The suicide bombings marked the first in three years to target Baghdad's bustling commercial area.
A suicide bomb attack took place in the same area in 2018 shortly after thenprime minister Haidar alabadi declared victory over so-called Islamic State (IS).
No-one immediately took responsibility for Thursday's attack, but Iraq has seen assaults perpetrated by both IS and militia groups in recent months.
Militias have routinely targeted the American presence in Iraq with rocket and mortar attacks, especially the US embassy in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone.
The pace of those attacks, however, has decreased since an informal truce was declared by Iran-backed armed groups in October.
The style of Thursday's assault was similar to those IS has conducted in the past.
But the group has rarely been able to penetrate the capital since being dislodged by Iraqi forces and the Us-led coalition in 2017.
The twin bombings came days after Iraq's government unanimously agreed to hold early elections in October.
Prime Minister Mustafa alkadhimi had announced in July that early polls would be held to meet the demands of anti-government protesters.
Demonstrators took to the streets in the tens of thousands last year to demand political change, and an end to rampant corruption and poor services.
More than 500 people were killed in mass demonstrations as security forces used live rounds and tear gas to disperse crowds.
Iraq is also grappling with a severe economic crisis.