Deadly Bombings Hit Baghdad Shopping Mall

Two overnight suicide bombings outside a shopping mall in eastern Baghdad have killed at least 10 people and injured dozens more, police and hospital officials said on September 10.

One bomb went off at the entrance to the Nakheel Mall on Palestine Street in the city center just before midnight, shattering windows at the multistory mall and damaging a fence surrounding it.

The second blast hit the mall's parking lot, the officials said.

The Interior Ministry said there were no casualties inside the shopping complex.

The Islamic State (IS) extremist group claimed responsibility.

Nakheel Mall opened last year and shops were likely to have remained open late ahead of Eid al-Adha, a major Muslim holiday, which begins on September 12. It also houses one of the city's most popular cinemas.

Baghdad is frequently hit by deadly bombing attacks, most of which are claimed by IS. The attacks often target crowded locations such as markets and restaurants in predominantly Shi’ite areas.

Based on reporting by AFP, dpa, Reuters