Baghdad: Car bombing in Shiite area kills 18
The explosion struck a crowded outdoor market in the Iraqi capital's eastern district of Sadr City, a police official said, adding that the blast also wounded up to 45 people, several seriously. There were fears the death toll could rise further.
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Several cars and nearby buildings were heavily damaged, he added.
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Two medical officials confirmed the casualty figures. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they are not authorised to release information.
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No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which bore the hallmarks of the extremist Islamic State group that has been behind recent deadly attacks in the area.
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IS also a controls significant area in northern and western Iraq, including the second-largest city of Mosul.
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Commercial and public places in Shiite-dominated areas are among the most frequent targets for the Sunni militants seeking to undermine the Iraqi government efforts to maintain
security inside the capital.