PHOTO: Fires burn after Karrada section of Baghdad bombed on Saturday night
UPDATE, JULY 6: The death toll has been raised to 250.
See Iraq Opinion: The Islamic State Attacks the Heart of Baghdad
Iraq Picture of Day: A Prayer for All in Bombed Karrada
At least 131 people have been killed ahd about 200 wounded by two car bombs in Iraq’s capital Baghdad.
Most of the victims were in the first explosion late Saturday in a busy commercial street in the central neighborhood of Karrada.
The second bomb exploded in an outdoor market in the Shaab neighborhood of southeastern Baghdad, killing five and wounding 16, according to police.
Report from Al Jazeera English:
Footage from Russia’s RT:
The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the Karrada attack in a statement on social media, saying that it was targeting Shia neighborhoods.
Angry crowds reportedly prevented Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi from visiting Karrada, shouting “Get out!”
Angry crowds in Karrada kick out PM Abadi and other government officials following yesterday's bombings. #Baghdad pic.twitter.com/AUmBoirSPR
— Mustafa Al-Khaqani (@Khaqani_M) July 3, 2016
The Ministry of Interior’s website was hacked, with an image of an infant bloodied in the attack. The site is still down this morning.
The attacks are the deadliest since May 11, when at least 90 people were killed by several bombs in Baghdad neighborhoods.
Earlier this week, warplanes of Iraq and the US-led coalition claimed the destruction of at 175 vehicles, killing at least 250 Islamic State fighters fleeing Fallujah, west of Baghdad.
Iraqi forces completed the capture of Fallujah, which had been held by ISIS since January 2014, last week.
The scene after the bombing in Karrada:
VIDEO: Shocking first hand footage of the inferno after #ISIS suicide bombing in #Baghdad – @zaidalftlaypic.twitter.com/QIZiETCDa9
— Conflict News (@Conflicts) July 3, 2016
Men looking at the destroyed vehicle carrying one of the bombs:
The destroyed Hadi Center shopping complex in Karrada:
Men chase Prime Minister al-Abadi’s convoy, throwing rocks:
Angry #iraqis families of lost victims and karada residents chase PM Al Abady convoy with rocks shortly #baghdad pic.twitter.com/L05ddL92xw
— Steven nabil (@stevoiraq) July 3, 2016