ISIS Claims Responsibility for Suicide Attacks in Baghdad

The Islamic State group, ISIS, has claimed responsibility for two suicide attacks in Tayaran Square, Baghdad. At least 38 people were killed in these attacks. According to the Associated Press, ISIS stated that the aim of these attacks was to kill Shiites in Tayaran Square, where over 100 people were also injured. The Iraqi Ministry of Interior reported that these two suicide attacks occurred on Monday at 7 AM, coinciding with the gathering of workers in Tayaran Square, where they come every morning to seek jobs. ISIS also claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on Saturday in northern Baghdad, which resulted in 10 deaths and 10 injuries, according to Iraqi officials. Such attacks have significantly decreased following the recapture of ISIS-held territories in Iraq in recent months. However, Iraqi officials have warned that ISIS still has the capability to carry out disruptive activities. Meanwhile, Ali Al-Bayati, a commander of the Hashd al-Shaabi forces, warned that ISIS forces still possess the necessary capability to capture border areas. According to AFP, this Hashd al-Shaabi commander pointed to the Nimrud area in northern Iraq, stating that it could fall at any moment due to the fragile security situation. Al-Bayati noted that after retreating towards the western borders, ISIS has carried out attacks on security forces and civilians from desert areas between Syria and Iraq. Meanwhile, Wathiq al-Hamdani, the police chief of Nineveh province, announced that more than 4,000 ISIS members have been arrested in this province since the liberation of Mosul.