At least 35 people were killed and dozens injured in four suicide attacks in Baghdad and Basra that occurred on Friday night, May 29. According to the German news agency, all four operations involved the use of car bombs, and the Islamic State group (ISIS) claimed responsibility for all the suicide attacks on Saturday. These attacks targeted checkpoints in the two cities of Baghdad and Basra. The Islamic State has increased the number of its attacks in various parts of Iraq in recent months. It is said that the purpose of these attacks is to divert attention from the operations of the U.S.-led coalition forces aimed at retaking the last stronghold of the group, Mosul. The Iraqi army, alongside coalition forces, has been conducting extensive operations since February to reclaim Mosul from ISIS. Reports indicate that in the past two weeks, with the opening of a new front in the northwest of Mosul, the advance of Iraqi army forces has accelerated. Reuters reports that ISIS fighters are expected to soon make their last stand around the Al-Nuri Mosque, where ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared the caliphate. According to intelligence and military officials, the Iraqi army intends to liberate the Al-Nuri Mosque before the start of Ramadan, which begins on June 6. The liberation of the Al-Nuri Mosque will not only be a symbolic success but also a strategic victory for the Iraqi army. Reports indicate that the remaining members of the Islamic State have increasingly resorted to using car bombs and placing snipers among the hundreds of thousands of civilians remaining in western Mosul. Meanwhile, military officials have stated that the number of ISIS fighters has significantly decreased, and the remaining ones do not have much ammunition or weaponry. The U.S. special envoy has also mentioned 'hundreds of projects' funded by the Washington-led coalition, but the Associated Press states that current financial pledges, while the Baghdad government faces an economic crisis and has requested international assistance, are still less than Iraq's current needs. The Islamic State took control of Mosul about three years ago, but in recent months, with the advance of government forces, it has vacated more areas of the city.
At least 35 killed in a series of suicide attacks in Iraq
A series of suicide attacks in Baghdad and Basra resulted in at least 35 deaths, with ISIS claiming responsibility. These attacks are seen as a diversion from the ongoing military operations by Iraqi and coalition forces to retake Mosul, the last stronghold of ISIS. The situation highlights the ongoing security challenges in Iraq as the government seeks to reclaim territory from the group.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
A series of suicide attacks in Baghdad and Basra resulted in at least 35 deaths, with ISIS claiming responsibility. These attacks are seen as a diversion from the ongoing military operations by Iraqi and coalition forces to retake Mosul, the last stronghold of ISIS.
- ISIS has increased its attacks in Iraq recently.
- The Iraqi Army is making significant advances in retaking Mosul.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
ISIS controlled significant territory in Iraq until recent military operations began to reclaim those areas. The group remains a threat despite losing much of its territory.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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