The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a bomb blast that killed 31 people in Baghdad, Iraq.
The bomb was planted at a popular ice-cream shop where Muslim residents of Baghdad had gathered for a treat after breaking their Ramadan fast, reports Fox News. Children are reported to be among the slain in the explosion.
A second attack occurred when a bomb blast went off in a car during rush hour, also in Baghdad. This blast killed 14 and wounded 37 others.
Following the attack, the U.S. envoy to the coalition against ISIS, Brett McGurk, tweeted, "Isis [IS] terrorists tonight in Baghdad target children & families enjoying time together at an ice cream shop. We stand w/Iraq against this evil.”
Although the Islamic State is losing ground, they continue to carry out these kinds of attacks.
“[ISIS] wants Iraqis to fear going out and this is to show they are still present and able to strike the heart of the Iraqi capital, even as they are being defeated on the battlefield," said Hayder al-Khoei, a London-based Middle East expert.
It has been common for ISIS militants to increase attacks during the Muslim holiday of Ramadan. During the holiday last year, a suicide bombing killed nearly 300 people in the Karrada neighborhood of Baghdad.
Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com
Publication date: May 30, 2017
