Sadr Deploys Forces as Baghdad Bombs Kill 77

ISIS Takes Credit for Largest Bombing

A series of bombings across the Iraqi capital city of Baghdad, aiming at Shi’ite dominated areas, has killed at least 77 people and wounded over 140. ISIS claimed credit for the largest attack, in al-Shaab, and is suspected in several others.

The al-Shaab attack killed 41 and wounded 70, while another suicide car bomb in nearby Sadr City killed another 30 and wounded 57 more. A subsequent bombing in the southwest al-Rasheed neighborhood killed six more.

This is the second major round of ISIS attacks against the capital city in less than a week, after major bombings Wednesday killed at least 96.As with those bombings, there is a growing sense of impatience among many in Baghdad after today’s attacks.

Key Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who has been organizing demonstrations demanding reform, reiterated that call today, saying the bombings proved the current government is totally incapable of providing basic security. Other protesters have complained that the government seems to focus its security on keeping protesters out of the Green Zone, and isn’t making much of an effort to stop attacks elsewhere in the city.

After today’s bombings, Sadr began deploying his own militia in parts of the city to provide security.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.