Terrorist Attacks in Iraq, Dozens Killed, Wounded

Local Editor

Iraqi security sources reported Monday that an "ISIS" terrorist group involving a car bomb, a gunfight and a hostage-taking left at least 12 people dead in a Baghdad mall.

The attack, claimed by "ISIS" in an online statement, was a departure from the terrorist organization's usual method of suicide car bombings.

The statement added the attack was carried out by "four soldiers of the caliphate" and targeted Shiites.

It said one of the "ISIS" members blew himself up in an explosives-laden vehicle when "the apostates sent reinforcements."

For his part, Interior Ministry official reported that gunmen blew up at least one car bomb before spraying gunfire in the street and storming a mall called Zahrat Baghdad.

"At least one of the attackers had a suicide vest and blew himself up inside the mall," he added.

Several people were held hostage inside the mall and three of them were killed as security forces attempted to neutralize the attackers. In addition, two members of the security forces were killed and nine wounded, including three officers.

In parallel, a hospital official confirmed the death toll and said at least three attackers either killed themselves or were killed by the security forces.

Eventually, the area around the mall, located in a busy commercial area of Baghdad al-Jadida, suffered extensive damage.

As a counter-terrorism force from the intelligence services was deployed to the scene of the attack, a police officer said that: "Security forces are now fully in control, the gunmen were killed and the hostages were freed."

Also on Monday, bombings killed 20 people and wounded dozens at a cafe in the Iraqi town of Muqdadiyah, in Dayala Province northeast of Baghdad.

Police sources added that a bomb exploded at a cafe and a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-rigged vehicle after people gathered at the scene.

Although there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but suicide bombings are a tactic frequently used by militants in Iraq, including "ISIS."

In the context, top Iraqi army officer declared that the province had been "liberated" from the terrorist group in late January 2015, but that has not brought an end to the attacks.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team