Suicide bombs kill at least 23 in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Jan. 8 (UPI) — At least 23 have been reported dead in a series of suicide bomb attacks in Baghdad. It’s the second weekend in a row marred by a wave of deadly attacks.

The first attack took place in the Shia district of Alwat-Jamila, a neighborhood in Sadr City in eastern Baghdad. A suicide bomber drove an explosives-filled truck into a crowd of people shopping at the city’s main vegetable market. The attack killed 13 — according to several reports — and wounded at least 25 others. A similar attack claimed 35 lives on Monday, January 2.

Iraq’s interior ministry spokesman Saad Maan said a security guard opened fire on the truck before the driver triggered the explosives.

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for Sunday’s bombings in a series of tweets shared by the terror group’s media wing, Amaq.

The Sadr City bombing was one of several attacks targeting Baghdad’s Shia sections on Sunday. Another seven were killed in the district of Baladiyat after a suicide bomber walked into a crowd and trigged an explosives belt. Dozens more were wounded.

Over the holiday weekend several days ago, on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and the Monday after, a total of five bombings claimed at least 64 lives.

U.S. and Iraqi forces continue to try to drive Islamic State fighters from Mosul, in northern Iraq, the terror group’s last remaining stronghold. The push has been met with much resistance, and has also inspired an uptick in violence in Baghdad.