In an attack that killed at least 32 people and wounded dozens, twin suicide bombings tore through a busy market in the capital of Iraq.
The January 21 attack in the Bab al-Sharqi commercial area in central Baghdad was the first massive bombing in years, according to officials.
Many people are questioning the timing of the attack, as it came only one day after the inauguration of Joe Biden, a politician known for his support of endless wars in Congress, and being part of the Obama administration, which started new conflicts in the Middle East.
The United States has recently ceased combat activities in the region, and has been gradually drawing down its troop presence in Iraq.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the bombings, but Iraqi military officials believe they were perpetrated by the Islamic State group (ISIS).
According to Iraq’s health minister, Hassan Mohammed al-Tamimi, at least 32 people were killed and 110 were wounded in the bombings.
Fox 19 reported: “Maj. Gen. Tahsin al-Khafaji, spokesman for the Joint Operations Command, which includes an array of Iraqi forces, said the first suicide bomber cried out loudly that he was ill in the middle of the bustling market, prompting a crowd to gather around him — and that’s when he detonated his explosive belt. The second detonated his belt shortly after.”
“This is a terrorist act perpetrated by a sleeper cell of the Islamic State,” al-Khafaji said. He added that ISIS “wanted to prove its existence” after suffering many blows in military operations to root out the terrorist group.
These acts of terror occurred soon after Iraq’s government unanimously agreed to hold early elections in October. Tens of thousands of protesters had taken to the streets of Iraq throughout 2020 to demand political change, calling for an end to rampant corruption and poor services. Over 500 people were killed during these protests as security forces used tear gas and live rounds to disperse crowds.