The Islamic State group claimed responsibility early Tuesday for a market bombing that killed at least 30 people and wounded dozens in Iraq's capital Baghdad on the eve of Eid al-Adha holiday celebrations.
In a message posted to its Telegram channel, the militant group said a suicide bomber named Abu Hamza al-Iraqi detonated his explosive belt in Sadr City, an eastern Baghdad suburb.
The attack happened a day before the Eid al-Adha holiday when the market was busy with shoppers.
Piles of merchandise lay on the ground after the explosion. Shopkeepers recounted to security forces how the blast had occurred as they salvaged what items they could.
Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi placed the commander of the federal police regiment responsible for the area of the market place under arrest, according to an Iraqi military statement. It also said an investigation was launched.
It was the third time this year that a bomb hit a market in the densely populated neighborhood. In April, at least four people were killed in a car bomb attack in Sadr City. That blast was caused by an explosive device attached to a parked car at the market.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and AP)
