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Car Bombings Kill 27 in Iraq's Capital

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Iraqi security forces and civilians inspect the site of a deadly car bomb explosion, in Baghdad, Iraq, May 30, 2017.
Iraqi security forces and civilians inspect the site of a deadly car bomb explosion, in Baghdad, Iraq, May 30, 2017.

Two separate bomb attacks on crowded streets in Iraq's capital early Tuesday killed at least 27 people and wounded dozens more.

The first blast happened near a popular ice cream shop in Baghdad's busy Karrada district, killing at least 16 people and wounding 75.

Hours later, a second explosion went off near a government office in the Shawaka section of the city. At least 11 people were killed in that blast.

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for both attacks, saying they were both suicide car bombings targeting members of Iraq's Shi'ite Muslim majority, whom the group considers heretics.

The attacks come a few days after Muslims began observing the holy month of Ramadan, when they flock to cafes and restaurants at night after a fasting during the day.

Islamic State was also responsible for a big truck bombing in Karrada during Ramadan last year that killed about 300 people.

The militants have been steadily losing territory in Iraq as pro-government forces fighting on the ground and a U.S.-led coalition conducting airstrikes push to reclaim remaining areas that were first seized in mid-2014.

The biggest target is Mosul, the largest city Islamic State took over in Iraq, but one where the government is back in control in the eastern section and working to rout the last militants from the western side.

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