A car bomb in the Iraqi capital&#39;s Shiite-majority district of Sadr City on Monday killed 11 people and wounded another 26, security officials and medical sources said.

A police officer, who asked to remain anonymous, said the bombing in northeastern Baghdad left &quot;11 dead and 26 wounded&quot;.

Members of Iraq&#39;s security forces were among the victims, medical sources said, confirming the toll.

A police officer, who asked to remain anonymous, said the bombing in northeastern Baghdad left '11 dead and 26 wounded'

A car bomb in the Iraqi capital's Shiite-majority district of Sadr City on Monday killed 11 people and wounded another 26, security officials and medical sources said. A police officer, who asked to remain anonymous, said the bombing in northeastern Baghdad left "11 dead and 26 wounded". Members of Iraq's security forces were among the victims, medical sources said, confirming the toll.

Car bomb kills 11 in Baghdad's Sadr City

An Islamic State car bomb killed 24 people in a busy square in Baghdad&#39;s sprawling Sadr City district on Monday, and the militants cut a key road north from the capital to Mosul, their last major stronghold in the country.

An online statement distributed by Amaq news agency, which supports Islamic State, said the ultra-hardline Sunni group had targeted a gathering of Shi&#39;ite Muslims, whom it considers apostates. Sixty-seven people were wounded in the blast.

US-backed Iraqi forces are currently fighting to push Islamic State from the northern city of Mosul, but are facing fierce resistance. The group has lost most of the territory it seized in a blitz across northern and western Iraq in 2014.

The recapture of Mosul would probably spell the end for its self-styled caliphate, but the militants would still be capable of fighting a guerrilla-style insurgency in Iraq, and plotting or inspiring attacks on the West.

Three bombs killed 29 people across the capital on Saturday, and an attack near the southern city of Najaf on Sunday left seven policemen dead. Monday&#39;s blast in Sadr City hit a square where day labourers typically gather.

Nine of the victims were women in a passing minibus. Their charred bodies were visible inside the burnt-out remains of the vehicle. Blood stained the ground nearby.

A separate blast near a hospital in central Baghdad killed one civilian and wounded nine, police and medical sources said.

&quot;The terrorists will attempt to attack civilians in order to make up for their losses, but we assure the Iraqi people and the world that we are able to end terrorism and shorten its life,&quot; Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi told reporters after meeting with visiting French President Francois Hollande.

Hollande, whose country has faced a series of militant attacks in the past two years, said French soldiers serving in a U.S.-led coalition against the jihadists in Iraq were preventing more mass killings at home.

Road to Mosul

Since the drive to recapture Mosul began on October 17, elite forces have retaken a quarter of the city in the biggest ground operation in Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. Abadi has said the group will be driven out of the country by April.

Clashes continued in and around Mosul on Monday. The counter-terrorism service (CTS) blew up several Islamic State car bombs before they reached their targets, and linked up with the Rapid Response forces, an elite Interior Ministry unit, said spokesman Sabah al-Numani.

CTS was also clearing North Karma district of remaining militants, the fourth area the unit has retaken in the past week, he said.

Islamic State targeted military positions away from the main battlefield, killing at least 16 pro-government fighters and cutting a strategic road linking the city to Baghdad.

Militants attacked an army barracks near Baiji, 180 km (110 miles) north of the capital, killing four soldiers and wounding 12 people, including Sunni tribal fighters, army and police sources said.

They seized weapons there and launched mortars at nearby Shirqat, forcing security forces to impose a curfew and close schools and offices in the town, according to local officials and security sources.

Shirqat mayor Ali Dodah said Islamic State seized three checkpoints on the main road linking Baiji to Shirqat following the attacks. Shelling in Shirqat had killed at least two children, he told Reuters by phone.

In a separate incident, gunmen broke into a village near Udhaim, 90 km (56 miles) north of Baghdad, where they executed nine Sunni tribal fighters with shots to the head, police and medical sources said.

In the same area, at least three pro-government Shi&#39;ite militia fighters were killed and seven wounded when militants attacked their position with mortar rounds and machine guns, police sources said.

(Reuters)

An online statement distributed by Amaq news agency, which supports IS, said the ultra-hardline Sunni group had targeted a gather Shi'ites

An Islamic State car bomb killed 24 people in a busy square in Baghdad's sprawling Sadr City district on Monday, and the militants cut a key road north from the capital to Mosul, their last major stronghold in the country. An online statement distributed by Amaq news agency, which supports Islamic State, said the ultra-hardline Sunni group had targeted a gathering of Shi'ite Muslims, whom it considers apostates. Sixty-seven people were wounded in the blast. US-backed Iraqi forces are currently fighting to push Islamic State from the northern city of Mosul, but are facing fierce resistance. The group has lost most of the territory it seized in a blitz across northern and western Iraq in 2014. The recapture of Mosul would probably spell the end for its self-styled caliphate, but the militants would still be capable of fighting a guerrilla-style insurgency in Iraq, and plotting or inspiring attacks on the West. Three bombs killed 29 people across the capital on Saturday, and an attack near the southern city of Najaf on Sunday left seven policemen dead. Monday's blast in Sadr City hit a square where day labourers typically gather. Nine of the victims were women in a passing minibus. Their charred bodies were visible inside the burnt-out remains of the vehicle. Blood stained the ground nearby. A separate blast near a hospital in central Baghdad killed one civilian and wounded nine, police and medical sources said. "The terrorists will attempt to attack civilians in order to make up for their losses, but we assure the Iraqi people and the world that we are able to end terrorism and shorten its life," Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi told reporters after meeting with visiting French President Francois Hollande. Hollande, whose country has faced a series of militant attacks in the past two years, said French soldiers serving in a U.S.-led coalition against the jihadists in Iraq were preventing more mass killings at home. Road to Mosul Since the drive to recapture Mosul began on October 17, elite forces have retaken a quarter of the city in the biggest ground operation in Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. Abadi has said the group will be driven out of the country by April. Clashes continued in and around Mosul on Monday. The counter-terrorism service (CTS) blew up several Islamic State car bombs before they reached their targets, and linked up with the Rapid Response forces, an elite Interior Ministry unit, said spokesman Sabah al-Numani. CTS was also clearing North Karma district of remaining militants, the fourth area the unit has retaken in the past week, he said. Islamic State targeted military positions away from the main battlefield, killing at least 16 pro-government fighters and cutting a strategic road linking the city to Baghdad. Militants attacked an army barracks near Baiji, 180 km (110 miles) north of the capital, killing four soldiers and wounding 12 people, including Sunni tribal fighters, army and police sources said. They seized weapons there and launched mortars at nearby Shirqat, forcing security forces to impose a curfew and close schools and offices in the town, according to local officials and security sources. Shirqat mayor Ali Dodah said Islamic State seized three checkpoints on the main road linking Baiji to Shirqat following the attacks. Shelling in Shirqat had killed at least two children, he told Reuters by phone. In a separate incident, gunmen broke into a village near Udhaim, 90 km (56 miles) north of Baghdad, where they executed nine Sunni tribal fighters with shots to the head, police and medical sources said. In the same area, at least three pro-government Shi'ite militia fighters were killed and seven wounded when militants attacked their position with mortar rounds and machine guns, police sources said. (Reuters)

Iraq: At least 24 killed in car bomb attack in Baghdad

A suicide bombing targeting Shiite Muslims killed at least two people in Baghdad on Sunday, officials said, a day after the deadliest attack to hit the Iraqi capital in months.

The bombing in central Baghdad, which targeted a tent where Shiites distribute food as part of annual religious commemorations, also wounded at least four people, officials said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but the Islamic State jihadist group frequently carries out suicide bombings targeting Shiites, whom it considers heretics.

The blast came a day after an IS-claimed suicide bombing at a funeral killed at least 34 people -- the deadliest attack in Baghdad since another IS suicide bombing left more than 300 dead in early July.

The attacks come as Iraqi forces prepare for an offensive in northern Iraq to retake Mosul, the last IS-held city in the country, after regaining much of the territory the jihadists seized in 2014 and 2015.

The launch of the operation is expected to be announced soon, but it will mark only the start of a battle that is likely to be the most difficult and complex yet in the war against IS.

(AFP) 
&nbsp;

The blast comes a day after an IS-claimed suicide bombing at a funeral killed at least 34

A suicide bombing targeting Shiite Muslims killed at least two people in Baghdad on Sunday, officials said, a day after the deadliest attack to hit the Iraqi capital in months. The bombing in central Baghdad, which targeted a tent where Shiites distribute food as part of annual religious commemorations, also wounded at least four people, officials said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but the Islamic State jihadist group frequently carries out suicide bombings targeting Shiites, whom it considers heretics. The blast came a day after an IS-claimed suicide bombing at a funeral killed at least 34 people -- the deadliest attack in Baghdad since another IS suicide bombing left more than 300 dead in early July. The attacks come as Iraqi forces prepare for an offensive in northern Iraq to retake Mosul, the last IS-held city in the country, after regaining much of the territory the jihadists seized in 2014 and 2015. The launch of the operation is expected to be announced soon, but it will mark only the start of a battle that is likely to be the most difficult and complex yet in the war against IS. (AFP)

Suicide bombing in Baghdad kill at least two

Bombings targeting shopping areas in Shiite districts of the Iraqi capital today killed at least 17 people and wounded more than 50, security and medical officials said.

The Islamic State jihadist group claimed an attack in the Baghdad Jadida neighbourhood in the east of the city, saying it was carried out by a man wearing an explosive vest.

Officials said at least eight people were killed and at least 29 wounded in Baghdad Jadida, although some said the area was hit by a roadside bomb as well as a suicide bomber.

Conflicting accounts are common in the confused aftermath of attacks in Iraq: police at the scene said it was hit by a roadside bomb that wounded six people but left no fatalities.

Another suicide bomber targeted the Bayaa area in south Baghdad, killing at least nine people and wounding at least 26, officials said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for that attack, but IS frequently carries out suicide bombers targeting Iraqi Shiite Muslims, whom it considers to be heretics.

Today&#39;s violence came two days after another suicide bombing claimed by IS killed six people in western Baghdad.

A day before that, bomb and gun attacks claimed by the jihadist group killed 12 people in the area of Tikrit, a city north of the capital. 
Iraqi forces are preparing for a push on Mosul, the last IS-held city in the country, after regaining much of the Iraqi territory the jihadists seized in June 2014.

But IS has maintained the ability to carry out attacks in government-controlled areas even as the jihadist group lost ground, and it is likely to increasingly turn to such insurgent tactics if it loses Mosul.

(AFP)

The Islamic State jihadist group claimed the attack in the Baghdad Jadida neighbourhood in the east of the city

Bombings targeting shopping areas in Shiite districts of the Iraqi capital today killed at least 17 people and wounded more than 50, security and medical officials said. The Islamic State jihadist group claimed an attack in the Baghdad Jadida neighbourhood in the east of the city, saying it was carried out by a man wearing an explosive vest. Officials said at least eight people were killed and at least 29 wounded in Baghdad Jadida, although some said the area was hit by a roadside bomb as well as a suicide bomber. Conflicting accounts are common in the confused aftermath of attacks in Iraq: police at the scene said it was hit by a roadside bomb that wounded six people but left no fatalities. Another suicide bomber targeted the Bayaa area in south Baghdad, killing at least nine people and wounding at least 26, officials said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for that attack, but IS frequently carries out suicide bombers targeting Iraqi Shiite Muslims, whom it considers to be heretics. Today's violence came two days after another suicide bombing claimed by IS killed six people in western Baghdad. A day before that, bomb and gun attacks claimed by the jihadist group killed 12 people in the area of Tikrit, a city north of the capital. Iraqi forces are preparing for a push on Mosul, the last IS-held city in the country, after regaining much of the Iraqi territory the jihadists seized in June 2014. But IS has maintained the ability to carry out attacks in government-controlled areas even as the jihadist group lost ground, and it is likely to increasingly turn to such insurgent tactics if it loses Mosul. (AFP)

Bombings kill at least 17 in Baghdad: Officials

Islamic State group militants killed 30 people at a Shiite shrine north of Baghdad, striking the area with suicide bombers, gunfire and mortar rounds, an Iraqi security spokesman said today.&nbsp; 
 
The overnight attack also wounded 50 people, the Joint Operations Command spokesman said in a statement.&nbsp;The Sayyid Mohammed shrine was first targetted with mortar rounds, after which suicide bombers arrived at the shrine and opened fire, the statement said. 
 
Two of the bombers then blew themselves up in a market next to the shrine while the third was killed and his explosive belt defused, it said, without specifying which forces killed the bomber. 
 
The attack in the Balad area, located 70 kilometres north of Baghdad, came just five days after a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-rigged minibus in the capital, killing 292 people.&nbsp;That blast was one of the deadliest bombings to hit Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion of the country, which set the stage for 13 years of bloody violence. 
 
The Baghdad bombing was claimed by the Islamic State group, which overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but has since lost significant ground to Iraqi forces.&nbsp;In response to the battlefield setbacks, the group has hit back against civilians, and experts have warned there may be more bombings as the jihadists continue to lose ground. 
 
 
After the bombs 
 
Health minister Hamoud said the bodies of 115 killed in the Sunday bombing attack had now been handed over to families, while the identities of 177 others have yet to be determined. 
 
The blast also wounded 200 people, said the minister, who on Tuesday told AFP that the process of identifying the unknown dead - which she put at 150 at the time - was expected to take 15-45 days. 
 
People have been furious over delays in determining the fate of their loved ones, and with the number of unidentified bodies now bigger, it may take even longer. 
 
 
Lack of emergency exits 
 
The attack has overshadowed what would normally be a joyful holiday for Iraqi Muslims, instead turning it into a time of mourning and sadness.&nbsp;Investigators now believe they know what caused the attack to claim so many lives. 
 
Police major general Talib Khalil Rahi said the suicide bomber detonated a minibus loaded with plastic explosives and ammonium nitrate.&nbsp;The initial blast killed a limited number of people, but flames spread and trapped people inside shopping centres that lacked emergency exits, Rahi told a news conference in Baghdad. 
 
The raging fires have made it difficult to identify the dead.&nbsp;Interior minister Mohammed Ghabban tendered his resignation following the bombing, and authorities also announced the execution of five convicts and the arrest of 40 jihadists in an apparent bid to limit the fallout from the attack. 
 
An official in Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi&#39;s office told AFP on Wednesday that the premier had accepted the minister&#39;s resignation, though there has been no official statement from him on the matter. 
 
Sunday&#39;s bombing was claimed by IS, which has its roots in the insurgency that began after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in the 2003 US-led invasion.&nbsp;IS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces have since regained significant territory from the jihadists. 
 
In response to the battlefield setbacks, the Sunni extremist group has hit back against civilians, and experts have warned there may be more bombings as the jihadists continue to lose ground. 
 
(AFP)

Three IS suicide bombers opened fire before two of them blew themselves up in a market

Islamic State group militants killed 30 people at a Shiite shrine north of Baghdad, striking the area with suicide bombers, gunfire and mortar rounds, an Iraqi security spokesman said today. The overnight attack also wounded 50 people, the Joint Operations Command spokesman said in a statement. The Sayyid Mohammed shrine was first targetted with mortar rounds, after which suicide bombers arrived at the shrine and opened fire, the statement said. Two of the bombers then blew themselves up in a market next to the shrine while the third was killed and his explosive belt defused, it said, without specifying which forces killed the bomber. The attack in the Balad area, located 70 kilometres north of Baghdad, came just five days after a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-rigged minibus in the capital, killing 292 people. That blast was one of the deadliest bombings to hit Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion of the country, which set the stage for 13 years of bloody violence. The Baghdad bombing was claimed by the Islamic State group, which overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but has since lost significant ground to Iraqi forces. In response to the battlefield setbacks, the group has hit back against civilians, and experts have warned there may be more bombings as the jihadists continue to lose ground. After the bombs Health minister Hamoud said the bodies of 115 killed in the Sunday bombing attack had now been handed over to families, while the identities of 177 others have yet to be determined. The blast also wounded 200 people, said the minister, who on Tuesday told AFP that the process of identifying the unknown dead - which she put at 150 at the time - was expected to take 15-45 days. People have been furious over delays in determining the fate of their loved ones, and with the number of unidentified bodies now bigger, it may take even longer. Lack of emergency exits The attack has overshadowed what would normally be a joyful holiday for Iraqi Muslims, instead turning it into a time of mourning and sadness. Investigators now believe they know what caused the attack to claim so many lives. Police major general Talib Khalil Rahi said the suicide bomber detonated a minibus loaded with plastic explosives and ammonium nitrate. The initial blast killed a limited number of people, but flames spread and trapped people inside shopping centres that lacked emergency exits, Rahi told a news conference in Baghdad. The raging fires have made it difficult to identify the dead. Interior minister Mohammed Ghabban tendered his resignation following the bombing, and authorities also announced the execution of five convicts and the arrest of 40 jihadists in an apparent bid to limit the fallout from the attack. An official in Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's office told AFP on Wednesday that the premier had accepted the minister's resignation, though there has been no official statement from him on the matter. Sunday's bombing was claimed by IS, which has its roots in the insurgency that began after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in the 2003 US-led invasion. IS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces have since regained significant territory from the jihadists. In response to the battlefield setbacks, the Sunni extremist group has hit back against civilians, and experts have warned there may be more bombings as the jihadists continue to lose ground. (AFP)

Iraq blast: 30 dead, 50 wounded near Shiite shrine north of Baghdad

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Sunday ordered changes to Baghdad security measures, including withdrawing fake bomb detectors from use, after a bombing killed at least 119 people in the city. 
 
The suicide car bombing, which was claimed by the Islamic State group, ripped through a busy shopping in the early hours and also wounded more than 180 people, officials said. 
 
Abadi&#39;s orders highlight one of the longest-running and most grievous flaws in Baghdad security: the continued use of fake bomb detectors at checkpoints years after the man who sold them to Iraq was jailed in Britain for fraud. 
 
The premier ordered all security forces to stop using the hand-held devices, which are made of black plastic with a pistol-style grip and a small silver antenna that allegedly detects various materials including explosives. 
 
In reality, they do not detect anything, except by chance. 
 
Abadi also directed that the interior ministry speed up the deployment of the &quot;rapiscan device for searching vehicles&quot; at all entrances to Baghdad - an apparent reference to truck-based scanners from Rapiscan Systems. 
 
He also ordered security personnel manning checkpoints not to use their mobile phones while on duty - a frequent occurrence that reduces the effectiveness of the many checkpoints scattered around Baghdad. 
 
Other measures include stepping up aerial reconnaissance and intelligence efforts, increasing coordination among security forces and reorganising checkpoints in the capital. 
 
It remains to be seen how many of the new measures will in fact be carried out, as changes have been announced by Iraqi authorities before but not implemented on the ground. 
 
(AFP)

The order highlights one of the most grievous flaws in Baghdad security - the continued use of fake bomb detectors at checkpoints

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Sunday ordered changes to Baghdad security measures, including withdrawing fake bomb detectors from use, after a bombing killed at least 119 people in the city. The suicide car bombing, which was claimed by the Islamic State group, ripped through a busy shopping in the early hours and also wounded more than 180 people, officials said. Abadi's orders highlight one of the longest-running and most grievous flaws in Baghdad security: the continued use of fake bomb detectors at checkpoints years after the man who sold them to Iraq was jailed in Britain for fraud. The premier ordered all security forces to stop using the hand-held devices, which are made of black plastic with a pistol-style grip and a small silver antenna that allegedly detects various materials including explosives. In reality, they do not detect anything, except by chance. Abadi also directed that the interior ministry speed up the deployment of the "rapiscan device for searching vehicles" at all entrances to Baghdad - an apparent reference to truck-based scanners from Rapiscan Systems. He also ordered security personnel manning checkpoints not to use their mobile phones while on duty - a frequent occurrence that reduces the effectiveness of the many checkpoints scattered around Baghdad. Other measures include stepping up aerial reconnaissance and intelligence efforts, increasing coordination among security forces and reorganising checkpoints in the capital. It remains to be seen how many of the new measures will in fact be carried out, as changes have been announced by Iraqi authorities before but not implemented on the ground. (AFP)

Iraq PM orders security changes after Baghdad bombing

Iraq begins three days of national mourning on Monday for almost 120 killed by a suicide bombing in a busy Baghdad shopping district claimed by Islamic State jihadists, the deadliest attack in the capital this year. 
 
The blast hit the Karrada district on early Sunday as the area was packed with shoppers ahead of this week&#39;s holiday marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramzan. 
 
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced three days of national mourning for the victims as he visited the site of the attack, and his office said he had vowed to &quot;punish&quot; the perpetrators. 
 
He also ordered changes to Baghdad security measures in response to the bombing, which security officials said killed at least 119 people and wounded more than 180. 
 
The attack came a week after Iraqi security forces recaptured Fallujah from IS, leaving Mosul as the only Iraqi city under the jihadist group&#39;s control. 
 
The blast set buildings ablaze, and crowds of people watched from the rubble-filled street as emergency personnel carried out victims and worked on the site. 
 
A member of the civil defence forces said it would take &quot;a number of days&quot; to recover the bodies of the victims. 
 
Hussein Ali, a 24-year-old former soldier, said six workers at his family&#39;s shop were killed, their bodies so badly burned they could not be identified. 
 
&quot;I will return to the battlefront. At least there, I know the enemy so I can fight him. But here, I don&#39;t know who I&#39;m fighting,&quot; Ali told AFP. 
 
&#39;Cowardly and heinous act&#39; 
 
IS issued a statement claiming responsibility for the suicide bombing, saying it was carried out by an Iraqi as part of &quot;ongoing security operations&quot;. 
 
The jihadist group said the blast targeted Iraq&#39;s Shiite Muslim majority, whom the Sunni extremists consider heretics and frequently attack in Baghdad and elsewhere. 
 
UN Iraq envoy Jan Kubis condemned the &quot;cowardly and heinous act of unparalleled proportions,&quot; calling on authorities to bring those responsible to justice. 
 
Officials said another explosion in the Shaab area of northern Baghdad killed at least one person and wounded four on Sunday, but the cause of the blast was disputed. 
 
Bombings in the capital have decreased since IS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in June 2014, with the jihadists apparently more concerned with operations elsewhere. 
 
But the group has struck back against Iraqi civilians after suffering military setbacks, and in May, Baghdad was rocked by a series of blasts that killed more than 150 people in seven days. 
 
A video posted on social media showed men -- apparently angry at the government&#39;s failure to prevent the carnage in Karrada -- throwing rocks at what was said to be Abadi&#39;s convoy. 
 
But the premier struck a conciliatory tone over anger directed towards him. 
 
IS defeat in Fallujah 
 
&quot;I understand the emotional feelings and actions that occurred in a moment of sadness and anger,&quot; Abadi said in a statement. 
 
With thousands of vehicles moving in and out of the city each day, such bombings are difficult to prevent. 
 
But there are also flaws in security measures in the city, especially the continued use of fake bomb detectors at checkpoints years after the man who sold them to Iraq was jailed for fraud in Britain. 
 
Abadi announced a series of changes to security measures following the Sunday bombing, including scrapping the fake detectors. 
 
He also ordered the deployment of scanning devices at entrances to Baghdad to be sped up, directed that security personnel be banned from using mobile phones at checkpoints, and also called for increased aerial reconnaissance and coordination among security forces. 
 
Iraqi forces completely recaptured Fallujah, a city 50 kilometres (30 miles) west of Baghdad, from the jihadists a week ago. 
 
Anti-government fighters seized Fallujah in early 2014 and it later became one of IS&#39;s main strongholds in the country. 
 
IS&#39;s defeat there was compounded by a devastating series of air strikes targeting jihadist forces as they sought to flee the Fallujah area. 
 
Iraqi and US-led coalition aircraft destroyed hundreds of IS vehicles and killed dozens of fighters in two days of strikes against jihadist convoys after the end of the Fallujah battle, officials said. 
 
With Fallujah retaken, Iraqi forces are now setting their sights on second city Mosul, the last major population centre held by IS in Iraq. 
 
(AFP)

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi ordered changes to Baghdad security measures in response to the bombing and vowed to punish the perpetrators

Iraq begins three days of national mourning on Monday for almost 120 killed by a suicide bombing in a busy Baghdad shopping district claimed by Islamic State jihadists, the deadliest attack in the capital this year. The blast hit the Karrada district on early Sunday as the area was packed with shoppers ahead of this week's holiday marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramzan. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced three days of national mourning for the victims as he visited the site of the attack, and his office said he had vowed to "punish" the perpetrators. He also ordered changes to Baghdad security measures in response to the bombing, which security officials said killed at least 119 people and wounded more than 180. The attack came a week after Iraqi security forces recaptured Fallujah from IS, leaving Mosul as the only Iraqi city under the jihadist group's control. The blast set buildings ablaze, and crowds of people watched from the rubble-filled street as emergency personnel carried out victims and worked on the site. A member of the civil defence forces said it would take "a number of days" to recover the bodies of the victims. Hussein Ali, a 24-year-old former soldier, said six workers at his family's shop were killed, their bodies so badly burned they could not be identified. "I will return to the battlefront. At least there, I know the enemy so I can fight him. But here, I don't know who I'm fighting," Ali told AFP. 'Cowardly and heinous act' IS issued a statement claiming responsibility for the suicide bombing, saying it was carried out by an Iraqi as part of "ongoing security operations". The jihadist group said the blast targeted Iraq's Shiite Muslim majority, whom the Sunni extremists consider heretics and frequently attack in Baghdad and elsewhere. UN Iraq envoy Jan Kubis condemned the "cowardly and heinous act of unparalleled proportions," calling on authorities to bring those responsible to justice. Officials said another explosion in the Shaab area of northern Baghdad killed at least one person and wounded four on Sunday, but the cause of the blast was disputed. Bombings in the capital have decreased since IS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in June 2014, with the jihadists apparently more concerned with operations elsewhere. But the group has struck back against Iraqi civilians after suffering military setbacks, and in May, Baghdad was rocked by a series of blasts that killed more than 150 people in seven days. A video posted on social media showed men -- apparently angry at the government's failure to prevent the carnage in Karrada -- throwing rocks at what was said to be Abadi's convoy. But the premier struck a conciliatory tone over anger directed towards him. IS defeat in Fallujah "I understand the emotional feelings and actions that occurred in a moment of sadness and anger," Abadi said in a statement. With thousands of vehicles moving in and out of the city each day, such bombings are difficult to prevent. But there are also flaws in security measures in the city, especially the continued use of fake bomb detectors at checkpoints years after the man who sold them to Iraq was jailed for fraud in Britain. Abadi announced a series of changes to security measures following the Sunday bombing, including scrapping the fake detectors. He also ordered the deployment of scanning devices at entrances to Baghdad to be sped up, directed that security personnel be banned from using mobile phones at checkpoints, and also called for increased aerial reconnaissance and coordination among security forces. Iraqi forces completely recaptured Fallujah, a city 50 kilometres (30 miles) west of Baghdad, from the jihadists a week ago. Anti-government fighters seized Fallujah in early 2014 and it later became one of IS's main strongholds in the country. IS's defeat there was compounded by a devastating series of air strikes targeting jihadist forces as they sought to flee the Fallujah area. Iraqi and US-led coalition aircraft destroyed hundreds of IS vehicles and killed dozens of fighters in two days of strikes against jihadist convoys after the end of the Fallujah battle, officials said. With Fallujah retaken, Iraqi forces are now setting their sights on second city Mosul, the last major population centre held by IS in Iraq. (AFP)

Iraq mourns victims of Baghdad car bombing

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