Daesh Car Bomb Kills at Least 12 Civilians in Baghdad
Local Editor
A car bomb ripped through a bustling commercial area of central Baghdad overnight, killing at least 12 civilians, Iraqi officials said on Tuesday.
Shortly after the attack, Daesh [the Arabic acronym for the terrorist "ISIS" organization] claimed responsibility for the bombing in a statement posted online.
The explosives-laden pick-up truck was left in a parking lot in the Shiite-dominated district of Karrada, near a hospital and shops, a police officer said.
Up to 28 people were wounded and at least 15 cars were damaged, he added.
A medical official confirmed the casualty figures. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release the information.
Early on Tuesday morning, mourners held a funeral procession for some of the dead. Men carried coffins wrapped in Iraqi flags as women wailed and pounded their chests in grief.
At the scene of the bombing, residents examined the blood-stained pavement and the damage to nearby shops.
Daesh issued a statement saying the suicide attack targeted Shiites. The Associated Press could not verify the authenticity of the statement, but it was posted on militant websites commonly used by the extremists.
Karrada is a major commercial area of the capital. Its streets are lined with clothing and jewelry stores, restaurants and cafes. The area is usually packed with shoppers, especially ahead of next week's Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, or the Festival of Sacrifice, which marks the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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