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Iraq market blast kills at least 18

At least 18 people were killed and several others wounded Monday in a bomb blast in a busy market in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, a security official told AFP.

The blast in the densely populated majority-Shiite suburb came as shoppers crowded the market buying food ahead of the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha. Video footage shared on social media of the aftermath of the blast showed bloodied victims and people screaming.

“A terror attack using a locally-made IED (improvised explosive device) in Woheilat Market in Sadr City, in east Baghdad, left several victims dead and others injured,” Iraq’s interior ministry said in a
statement.

Security officials told AFP the death toll was at least 18, but feared the number killed may rise further. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Baghdad Operations Command, a joint military and interior ministry security body, said it had launched an investigation into Monday’s attack.

In January, the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a rare twin suicide bombing that killed 32 people — also at a crowded market in Baghdad.

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