Car bomb attack in Baghdad follows weekend of violence in Iraq

BAGHDAD, March 7 (UPI) -- At least two people were killed and eight others were injured in a bomb attack targeting a popular market in western Baghdad on Monday following a weekend of violence.

Iraq's Ministry of Interior confirmed Monday's attack, adding the explosion was due to a car bomb that also killed the perpetrator. The attack follows a bloody Sunday in Iraq, where a truck bomb targeting a checkpoint killed at least 60 civilians and security personnel in the ancient city of Babylon, about 4 miles away from the city of Hilla.

The explosion injured dozens and completely destroyed the security checkpoint. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.

At least 670 Iraqis were killed last month, most of them civilians. Another explosion on Sunday left a civilian dead in western Baghdad. A bomb was placed under a vehicle that exploded in Baghdad's Abu Gharib district.

As Iraqi security forces prepare to launch a major offensive on the IS-controlled city of Mosul, many fear the militant Islamist group will increase attacks targeting civilians.