Baghdad car bomb kills 20 in Shi'ite district, wounds 48

Islamic State militants claimed responsibility on Thursday for a suicide car bombing in a mainly Shi'ite Muslim district of Baghdad that killed at least 20 people the day before.

In a statement posted online, the Sunni militant group said it had targeted a security checkpoint in the al-Shurta al-Rabaa neighbourhood.

The car bomb exploded in a crowded marketplace in a mainly Shi'ite Muslim district of the Iraqi capital on Wednesday.

A further 48 people were wounded by the blast.

A massive blast that killed more than 100 people less than a week ago in the town of Khan Bani Saad was claimed by Islamic State.

Iraqi security forces and Shi'ite paramilitary groups are currently focused on the western province of Anbar, where they have been gearing up for an offensive to retake the mainly Sunni Muslim governorate – Iraq's largest.

The United Nations said earlier this month that nearly 15,000 people had been killed in the 16-month period up to April 30.

related articles
Iraqi Christians plead for greater protection following Baghdad killings

Iraqi Christians plead for greater protection following Baghdad killings

Iraqi civilians in the line of fire as government prepares to retake Falluja
Iraqi civilians in the line of fire as government prepares to retake Falluja

Iraqi civilians in the line of fire as government prepares to retake Falluja

ISIS claims suicide bomb that killed more than 100 in Iraq
ISIS claims suicide bomb that killed more than 100 in Iraq

ISIS claims suicide bomb that killed more than 100 in Iraq

War vs. ISIS to last 20 years, says top US general; UK study sees jihadists losing land
War vs. ISIS to last 20 years, says top US general; UK study sees jihadists losing land

War vs. ISIS to last 20 years, says top US general; UK study sees jihadists losing land

News
The story of New Year’s resolutions
The story of New Year’s resolutions

1 January is when people traditionally start the new year with a fresh resolution. This is the story …

Young people more grateful to God, study finds
Young people more grateful to God, study finds

A new survey has suggested that 18 to 34 year olds are more likely to believe in God and have transcendental experiences.

Nigerian government accused of being in denial about persecution of Christians
Nigerian government accused of being in denial about persecution of Christians

How can thousands of slain Christians not be persecution?

Turkey arrested 115 suspected ISIS members, thwarting Christmas and New Year plots against non-Muslims
Turkey arrested 115 suspected ISIS members, thwarting Christmas and New Year plots against non-Muslims

Turkey has been relatively successful in preventing attacks since 2017.