BAGHDAD: On Thursday, twin suicide bombings struck a busy market in the Iraqi capital, killing at least 28 people and injuring 73 others, officials said.
In the midst of heightened political tensions over scheduled early elections and a serious economic crisis, a rare suicide bombing attack struck the Bab al-Sharqi commercial area in central Baghdad. Amid piles of clothes and shoes, Blood smeared the floors of the bustling market as survivors took stock of the disarray in the aftermath.
No one took responsibility for the attack immediately.
Iraq's Health Ministry announced all of its hospitals in the capital were mobilized to treat the wounded.
The attack occurred as security forces pursued two suicide bombers who detonated their explosives in the market near Tayaran Square, according to military spokesman Yahya Rasool.
The suicide bombings marked the first in three years to target Baghdad's bustling commercial area. A suicide bomb attack took place in the same area in 2018 shortly after then-Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi declared victory over the Islamic State group.