Deadly Bomb Attacks In Eastern Iraq

At least 40 people were killed and 100 injured in two bomb attacks on August 10 in eastern Iraq, according to security and medical sources.

The deadlier of the two attacks happened near Baquba, the capital of the eastern Diyala Province, located 60 kilometers northeast of Baghdad.

Citing police officials, AP reports that a suicide car bomb tore through a marketplace killing at least 35 people and wounding 72.

The second attack took place to the east of the city, in the village of Kanaan, when a suicide bomber blew himself up in a residential area and killed seven people, wounding dozens.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement circulated online by supporters. The statement said that the target was "rejectionists," a term used by the Islamist militant group to refer to Shi'ite Muslims.

Islamic State militants have recently launched a series of bombings in Baghdad and other provinces -- including a massive attack earlier in July in Diyala Province that killed more than 100 people.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AP