"Beware, beware of complacency and laxity in the fight against Daesh and terrorist sleeper cells. Terror today tries to cause and spread chaos and terror in the country again, especially in our dear Mosul," stated Hassan Karim al-Kaabi, first deputy speaker in the Iraqi parliament, using another term for ISIS.
A car bomb exploded in Mosul's southern Qayyarah district early Tuesday morning. Mosul is the capital of Nineveh province and where ISIS declared its "caliphate" in the summer of 2014.
"We as Iraqis have to hang on to unity and preserve the historical victory on terror when we managed to eradicate the putative state of superstition [ISIS ‘caliphate’] in Mosul. It was a big and great victory based on all standards," added Kaabi.
Video submitted to Rudaw shows the aftermath of the blast on October 23, 2018, in Mosul, Iraq.
The casualties numbered 23, according to Baghdad.
“The final toll for the terrorist act that was carried out through a bomb laden-vehicle in the Qayyarah’s bazaar in Mosul city to 3 martyrs and 20 injured,” read a statement by Iraq’s Security Media Center, which is part of the interior ministry.
The mayor of Qayyarah also blamed ISIS and said the blast was near Haji Restaurant in the heart of the bazaar. Salih al-Jabouri revealed "soldiers" were among the dead.
“Two soldiers and a civilian were killed, with an additional 25 injured. Some are severely injured,” added the mayor.
All roads were closed to find the perpetrators and security measures are being implemented. Jabouri described the situation later in the day as "normal."
No group has publicly claimed the blast.
Speaker of Parliament Mohammed al-Halbousi "condemned the cowardly terrorist bombing."
“The recurrence of terrorist incidents in the liberated areas and cities requires an urgent stop to strengthen the intelligence effort and the development of new security plans to ensure the protection of citizens and promote stability in those areas," he added, while calling for the "strengthening the local police and security services."
Since outgoing Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared the defeat of ISIS militarily in December 2017, analysts and intelligence officials have warned of ISIS resorting bombings, kidnappings and an insurgency.
Iraqis are hopeful with the demise of the extremist group will come a new era filled with security.
