Twin bombings in Baghdad claim 83 lives, several injured

At least 83 people were killed and 160 were wounded after two bombs went off in popular markets in Central Baghdad early on Sunday, 3 July, Iraqi police and hospital officials said. Reports suggest that the first bomb exploded in Karrada district killing 78 people and injuring 160.

The area in Karrada is a popular spot frequented by families and young people during Ramadan. Shortly afterwards, a second bomb went off in al-Shaab district which killed two people.

Islamic State (Isis) has claimed responsibility for the Karrada district bombing in a statement circulated online by Isis (Daesh) supporters. The statement said that they were targeting Shi'ite neighbourhoods.

But no one has claimed responsibility for the second explosion. An eyewitness told Associated Press that nearby shops caught fire due to the explosion and firefighters rescued people trapped in buildings around the shops.

The bombings come a week after Iraqi forces removed IS militants from Fallujah and declared it "fully liberated" from the terrorist group. In recent months, Iraqi military have made huge gains against IS recapturing the city of Ramadi, and towns of Hit and Rutba, in Iraq's Anbar province, west of Baghdad.

At least 90 people were killed in various Baghdad neighbourhoods in a series of bomb explosions claimed by IS in May.