UPDATES CASUALTIES, ADDS STATEMENT BY IRAQI PRESIDENT
By Haydar Karaalp
BAGHDAD (AA) – A twin suicide bombing rocked a busy commercial market in Baghdad on Thursday, killing at least 32 people, local media reported.
Two suicide bombers detonated explosives on them in the area near Baghdad’s al-Tayaran Square, which left 110 others wounded, according to the Iraqi News Agency.
No group has so far claimed responsibility for the bombings in the Iraqi capital.
Earlier on Thursday, Maj. Gen. Yahya Rasool, the spokesman for the Iraqi army, said in a statement that "suicide bombers were being pursued by the security forces before blowing themselves up in Tayaran Square in Baghdad."
The Iraqi Interior Ministry stated that one of the suicide bombers claimed that he was sick and needed help, and blew himself up when citizens gathered in response to his call.
According to eyewitnesses, the security forces intensified their presence and strict measures were taken in the vicinity of the heavily fortified Green Zone, in the center of Baghdad, to secure the headquarters of foreign diplomatic missions.
Reacting to the bombings, Iraqi President Barham Salih said “dark groups” aimed to target national achievements and the peace and future of the Iraqi people with these attacks.
“We firmly stand against these attempts to destabilize our country,” Salih added.
*Writing by Ali Abo Rezeg and Zehra Nur Duz in Ankara
