BAGHDAD BOMBINGS KILL 93

BAGHDAD — In the deadliest violence in Baghdad this year, three car bombs claimed by the Islamic State group killed 93 people across the Iraqi capital Wednesday, demonstrating the extremists’ ability to mount significant attacks despite major battlefield losses.

The separate bombings, which also wounded 165 people, came at a time of turmoil and deadlock in Iraq’s government and parliament. The Interior Ministry blamed the attacks on “political bickering” that is increasingly threatening the security of the civilian population.

The largest car bomb ripped through a crowded outdoor market selling food, clothing and household goods in the predominantly Shiite neighbourhood of Sadr City during the morning, killing at least 63 people and wounding 85.

Streets were stained with blood, building facades were damaged and smoke billowed from stores gutted by the blast. Dozens of people walked through mangled wreckage of cars and other debris as ambulances ferried away the injured.

The bomb was in a pickup truck loaded with fruit and vegetables. It was parked by a man who had quickly disappeared into the crowd, said Karim Salih, a 45-year-old grocer who escaped injury.

Two more car bombs exploded elsewhere in the afternoon, killing at least 30 and wounding 80, police officials said. One bomb targeted a police station in the northwestern Kadhimiyah neighbourhood, while another struck in the northern neighbourhood of Jamiya.

The casualty figures were released by medical officials who all spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief reporters.

In online statements, the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the bombings, which were condemned by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, as well as the United States.

The Islamic State group said it had targeted Shiite militiamen, but hospital and security officials said the vast majority of the victims were civilians.

The Islamic State claims appeared on a website commonly used by the Sunni extremists.