The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a car bomb that exploded on Monday in a bustling market area in Baghdad, killing 24 people and wounding 67. The suicide bomber blew up his explosives-laden vehicle in a Shi'ite neighborhood, hours after the arrival of French President Francois Hollande to the country and amid a fierce fight against ISIS. Amaq news agency, a site linked to the militants, said in a statement distributed online that the attack had targeted a gathering of Shi'ite Muslims, which the ultra-hardline Sunni group considers apostates. The bomber, driving a pickup truck, attacked an outdoor fruit and vegetable market, daily laborers and a police checkpoint in Baghdad's eastern Sadr City district, a police officer said. The Islamic State also claimed responsibility for Saturday's suicide attack in a central Baghdad market, which killed at least 28 people, and Sunday's suicide bombing at a checkpoint south of Baghdad that killed at least nine people. Iraq witnesses near-daily attacks, including in Baghdad, which have been frequently claimed by ISIS. Late last month, Iraqi authorities started removing some of the security checkpoints in Baghdad, mainly on its eastern side, in a bid to ease traffic for the capital's approximately 6 million residents. read more: http://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/iraq/1.762612
