Pair of suicide attacks kill 27, wound 80 in center of Baghdad

BAGHDAD — Twin blasts hit central Baghdad early yesterday, killing at least 27 and injuring more than 80 others, the Baghdad Health Department reported.

The blasts struck Sahet al-Ta-yaran (Aviation Square) in the center of the Iraqi capital, with Iraqi Interior Ministry spokesman Saad Maan saying the attack was carried out by two suicide attackers.

There has been no claim of responsibility.

Iraqi television put the number of wounded at 95.

Baghdad Health Department head Abdel Ghani al-Saadi said that 20 of the wounded had so far been treated at the hospital and discharged.

Witnesses said the blasts took place near a gathering for construction workers. The area is also the site of a transportation station and has a number of shops.

Pictures on Iraqi television showed pools of blood on the ground.

The area has been targeted by several similar blasts since 2003.

The bombing is the latest of several attacks to hit Iraq in recent months.

The Islamic State terrorist organization has carried out attacks across Iraq after government forces — supported by the U.S.-led coalition and tribal paramilitary groups — launched an offensive to regain areas seized by its militants in 2014.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced in December that the Islamic State had been routed in Iraq.

AP PHOTOS DISASTER AREA: Iraqi security forces gather at the scene of a double suicide attack in downtown Baghdad yesterday. Officials said at least 27 people were killed and more than 80 injured.