Saudi Arabia Condemns Suicide Bombings In Iraq

The Saudi Foreign Ministry on Thursday strongly condemned two separate suicide bombings in a busy market in central Baghdad’s Tayaran Square, Iraq. Dozens of people were killed and injured in the bombings.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry said that Saudi Arabia condemns all forms of terrorism, no matter what their motives, it cannot be justified.

The statement emphasized that the country stands with its Iraqi brothers in this difficult time for the security and stability of the Republic of Iraq. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed in the attack and to the Iraqi government, and pray for the speedy and complete recovery of the injured,” the statement said.

Note that, at least 28 people have been killed and more than 70 injured in two suicide bombings in a commercial area in central Baghdad.

The Iraqi military said in a statement that the bomber, wearing a suicide vest, blew himself up in Tiaran Square in the heart of Baghdad.

An Interior Ministry spokesman confirmed that 28 people had been killed so far in the attack, and that some of the injured were in critical condition.

Civil Defense Chief Major General Khadim Salman also confirmed the deaths of 28 people and expressed concern that ISIS may be behind the attack.

At least 73 people were injured in the blast, he said.

Security forces cordoned off the area after the incident and launched an investigation.

According to police sources, security forces have been alerted and deployed at key locations and key routes have been cordoned off in view of the threat of further attacks.

Medical sources told AFP that they feared the death toll could rise and that an emergency had been declared in hospitals across the city.

According to AFP, the suicide bombers targeted a used clothing market in Tiran Square, which was crowded at the time.

After years of sectarian violence, the number of suicide bombings in Baghdad has dropped significantly, with the last such attack taking place in June 2019.

At least 30 people were killed in a suicide bombing in Tayaran Square just months before the January 2018 parliamentary elections.

Violence, bombings and assassinations usually precede elections in Iraq.

Iraq is scheduled to hold elections in June this year, a year earlier due to protests, but authorities are preparing to hold elections in October to allow more time for voters and new parties to register.

No one has yet claimed responsibility for today’s bombing, but ISIS has generally claimed responsibility for such suicide bombings.

After a bloody three-year struggle in Iraq, ISIS was declared defeated in 2017 and one-third of the country was liberated from their control.

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Despite its formal demise, in some parts of the country, ISIS still maintains its presence in the form of small groups and continues to target security forces.