“A car bomb exploded in the busy Hurriya Square” in central Baghdad’s Karada district, Police Maj. Ali Mohammed said.
Early estimates of fatalities and injuries varied. An officer in the Baghdad Police Directorate told NBC News, speaking on the condition of anonymity, that the blast killed 15 people and injured 47.
Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack through its news agency, Amaq. The statement said they targeted a gathering of Shiites breaking their daily fast as part of Islam’s holy month of Ramadan.
Surveillance footage showed a large explosion on a tree-lined street filled with cars.
More than 50 people have been killed by car and roadside bombs across Baghdad this year. On Sunday, a suicide bomber killed four security officers at a security checkpoint northeast of Baghdad.
“Another terrorist attack on Karada,” tweeted Lukman Faily, the former Iraqi ambassador to the United States.
Another terrorist attack on Karada, this district has paid more than its fair share of tragedy, enough is enough.
