Accessibility links

Breaking News

Arrests Made In Massive Iraq Bombing, Abadi Visits Site


Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi has visited the site of a huge truck bombing by the Islamic State (IS) group that killed an estimated 120 people.

The July 17 attack at a crowded market in Khan Bani Saad in Diyala Province came as people were preparing for the last day of Ramadan and was so massive that it brought down buildings, crushing many of those killed and wounding 130 others.

The bombing occurred in an area north of Baghdad that Shi'ite militias seized from the IS group in January, driving the radical Sunni group out of the province's towns and villages.

Abadi's July 20 visit came as Dijla Operations Commander Lieutenant General Abdul Amir al-Zaidi said that five men suspected in the bombing were arrested.

The area continued to be hit by attacks and kidnappings on July 20, with at least 10 civilians killed by mortar and rocket fire in nearby Hudaid.

Thirteen men were reported kidnapped, including a Sunni tribal leader and three of his sons.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AP

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG