IS-claimed attack had killed 30 people. Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi announced on Saturday the arrest of members of a “terror cell” behind the Baghdad market bombing that killed dozens and was claimed by the Islamic State group. The bombing took place on Monday at Al-Woheilat market in Sadr City, a Shiite suburb in the capital, and officially killed 30 people, excluding the direct perpetrator. Iraq declared IS defeated in late 2017 after a fierce three-year campaign and attacks became relatively rare in the capital — until January this year when a twin IS-claimed suicide bombing killed 32 people in another market. The US-led coalition that supported Iraq’s campaign against IS has significantly drawn down its troop levels over the past year, citing increased capabilities of Iraqi forces..

Source: The Hindu July 24, 2021 17:03 UTC