BOMBINGS IN BAGHDAD KILL AT LEAST 59, INJURE 95

Two bombs detonated minutes apart Sunday in Baghdad at a crowded outdoor market, killing at least 59 people and injuring dozens more.

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, saying two suicide bombers had killed and wounded “hundreds of polytheist rejectionists,” Reuters reported.

The explosions occurred at the Mredi market in Baghdad’s mainly Shiite district of Sadr City. In addition to those killed, at least 95 were wounded, the Associated Press reported, citing multiple hospital officials. The deadly attack began with an initial blast. Then, after a crowd gathered at the site of the initial bombing, a suicide bomber detonated more explosives, the AP reported.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider alAbadi said the attacks were in response to the Islamic State’s recent defeats, in part because of U.S.-led airstrikes against the militants. “This gang targeted civilians after it lost the initiative and its dregs fled the battlefield before our proud fighters,” Abadi said on his official Facebook page.