A pair of suicide attacks at marketplaces in Baghdad on Sunday, including one claimed by the Islamic State, killed at least 20 people and wounded at least 50, according to police.
In the first attack, a suicide bomber drove an exposives-rigged truck into a vegetable market in Jamila, a predominantly Shiite district in the city, and detonated it. Security forces opened fire in an attempt to stop the suicide attack. Thirteen were pronounced dead.
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In a statement, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, saying that the suicide bomber was targeting “a gathering of Shiites.”
Only hours later, a suicide bomber set off a blast at a market in the mostly Shiite Baladiyat District, which killed seven.
Over the past week, attacks in Baghdad and throughout Iraqi cities have left 80 dead. Many of the attacks have been claimed by the Islamic State. One attack in Sadr City last week killed more than 40 people
The Islamic State is currently under increased pressure from a U.S.-backed offensive as they try to hold onto control of Mosul, their last major stronghold in Iraq.
