Bomb blasts hit square in Baghdad, killing 36

Bomb blasts hit square in Baghdad, killing 36

2011-10-28 18:25:18 GMT+7 (ICT)

BAGHDAD (BNO NEWS) -- More than 35 people were killed on Thursday evening when two bomb blasts hit a gathering in eastern Baghdad, Iraqi media reported on Friday. Nearly 80 others were injured.

The attacks began when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded at Sabah al-Khayat Square in the eastern part of the Iraqi capital. A short time later, when people had gathered and police arrived in response to the first blast, a second IED exploded.

The initial death toll was placed at 18, but the National Iraqi News Agency (NINA) on Friday afternoon reported that the death toll had risen to at least 36, including two police officers and two soldiers. 78 others were injured.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Baghdad has witnessed a resurgence in militant attacks in recent months, and Thursday's attack was the deadliest in Iraq since U.S. President Barack Obama announced the full withdrawal of U.S. forces at the end of the year.

But despite the upsurge, violence in Iraq has dropped significantly since its peak in 2006 and 2007 when the country was embroiled in sectarian bloodshed. However, deadly shootings and bombings still occur on an almost daily basis.

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