Bombings kill 12 in Iraqi capital

BAGHDAD — Three bombings in Iraq’s capital on Wednesday killed at least 12 people, including a suicide bombing in a mainly Shiite neighbourhood that had been attacked the day before, Iraqi officials said.

Six civilians and two policemen were killed when the bomber rammed his explosives-laden car into the checkpoint in Al Rashidiya district, a police officer said. Up to 23 other people were wounded, he added.

On Tuesday, at least 12 people were killed in a suicide car bombing at an outdoor vegetable and fruit market in Al Rashidiya.

Two separate bombings elsewhere in Baghdad killed four civilians and wounded 16, police said. Medical officials confirmed the casualties. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they are not authorised to talk to the media.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks, which bore the hallmarks of the Daesh terror group. The extremists frequently launch attacks targeting Iraq’s Shiite majority and the Shiite-led security forces.

Daesh has stepped up attacks in recent months as it has lost territory in northern and western Iraq that it had captured in 2014.

Daesh claimed a massive truck bombing in downtown Baghdad last week that killed 292 people, making it among the deadliest attacks in Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion. Last Thursday, a Daesh attack at a Shiite shrine north of Baghdad killed 37 people.