BAGHDAD (AP) – The Islamic State extremist group has claimed responsibility for four bombings in Baghdad which were among a string of attacks Saturday that left at least 27 people dead.
The jihadi group has spearheaded the Sunni militant blitz over the past five weeks that has overrun much of northern and western Iraq. It has declared the establishment of an Islamic state ruled by Shariah law in the territory it controls spanning the Syria-Iraq border.
In a statement posted online late Saturday, the group said that two of the attacks in Baghdad were carried out by suicide bombers – Abu al-Qaaqaa al-Almani and Abu Abdul-Rahman al-Shami. The names indicate they were German and Syrian respectively.
The Islamic State group said the other two attacks were parked car bombs. It said the bombings targeted Iraqi security forces as well as Shiite volunteers who have taken up arms to try to counter the Sunni militant offensive.
The authenticity of the statement could not be independently verified, but it was posted on a militant website frequently used by the group.
Saturday’s attacks were among the most significant in Baghdad since the Sunni militant offensive began. The insurgents have vowed to push on to the capital, although their campaign has slowed considerably since its stunning initial gains, which included the capture of Iraq’s second largest city Mosul.
The government has moved to boost security in Baghdad amid fears it might be vulnerable to attack, and the city had seen few major bombings in recent weeks.