Thursday’s deadly explosion in a crowded market in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad’s Shiite district of Sadr City wreaked havoc leaving hundreds killed and maimed.
Security officials in Iraq have confirmed that so far 76 people have been killed and 212 others wounded in this massive truck bombing attack that took place early morning in Baghdad’s predominant Shiite district of Sadr City at a vegetable and fruit market. This attack took place at a time when the market was packed as Thursday is before the weekend and many people were out shopping.
There has been no claim of responsibility and this kind of attack has not been seen for a long time in Baghdad. A truck bomb with such a force has reminded people of the sectarian attacks back at the height of violence in Iraq in 2006 and 2007. In recent weeks there have been similar attacks northeast of Baghdad in Diyala Province with very high casualty figures and big bombs ripping through civilian areas.