ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Iraqi President Barham Salih has condemned a double suicide bombing in the capital’s center on Thursday as a “rogue attempt” to destabilize the country, which is in the midst of economic and political turmoil.
“The two terrorist explosions against the safe citizens of Baghdad, at this time, confirms the endeavor of shadowy groups to target national achievements and the aspirations of our people for a peaceful future,” Salih tweeted.
“We stand firmly against these rogue attempts to destabilize our country,” he added.
At least 32 people have been confirmed killed and 110 injured after two suicide bombers attacked a market in Baghad’s Tayaran Square on Thursday morning, Iraq's ministry of health has said.
The death toll has continued to rise, with at least 28 confirmed dead earlier in the day by the head of Iraq's civil defense.
The square was also the site of a deadly bombing in 2018, killing at least 28.
Thursday's bombings have not been claimed by any group, but suicide bombings are a common method of attack used by the Islamic State (ISIS), which has sleeper cells across the country.
After seizing swathes of the country in the summer of 2014, the terror group was announced territorially defeated in Iraq in 2017, but continues to launch attacks against both civilians and members of the security forces, particularly in Iraq's northern provinces and territory disputed between Baghdad and Erbil.
Iraq is also facing significant economic and political challenges as it battles ongoing security threats from ISIS and a variety of militia groups.
Iraq’s council of ministers voted this week to postpone parliamentary elections from June to October, citing “technical reasons.” The country’s currency has also been devalued in the past month to fight the multi-trillion-dollar deficit facing Baghdad, driving up the cost of basic goods and services.
The Presidency of the Kurdistan Region “strongly” condemned the “terrorist attack” and expressed readiness to provide medical assistance in the Region for those injured.
“We strongly condemn the terrorist suicide attack that brutally targeted civilians that martyred and injured them, we offer our condolences and sympathies to their families,” the presidency said in an official statement.
“The Kurdistan Region is in every way ready to welcome those injured in the hospitals and provide them with every medical need,” it added.
Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also expressed his solidarity with the families of the victims and offered to provide assistance.
“The KRG stands ready to help provide care and assistance,” he said on Twitter. Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani – who led a delegation to Baghdad to resolve issues between the KRG and the federal government – condemned the “terrorist operation,” calling for joint efforts to defeat the recurrent “criminal operations."
Coalition spokesman Colonel Wayne Marotto also offered condolences to those affected by the attack.
“This is yet another instance of terrorists killing fellow Iraqis and harms those who seek peace,” he tweeted.
