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Car bomb kills 64 in Baghdad Shiite district

By Andrew V. Pestano
Baghdad's Sadr City district is often targeted in bombings, including an August bombing seen here in which at least 70 people were killed. On Wednesday, at least 64 people were killed in an Islamic State bombing that targeted a market during early morning rush hour. File photo by Hadeer Abbass/UPI
Baghdad's Sadr City district is often targeted in bombings, including an August bombing seen here in which at least 70 people were killed. On Wednesday, at least 64 people were killed in an Islamic State bombing that targeted a market during early morning rush hour. File photo by Hadeer Abbass/UPI | License Photo

BAGHDAD, May 11 (UPI) -- At least 64 people died on Wednesday after the Islamic State detonated a car bomb in a crowded market in a Shiite district of Baghdad during morning rush hour.

At least 87 people were injured in the Sadr City district attack by the predominantly Sunni militant group, which claimed responsibility. The Islamic State considers Shiites to be heretics. Police believe a bomb was placed in a parked car.

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The explosion damaged nearby buildings and vehicles. Victims include women and children. Baghdad's Sadr City has frequently been targeted in bombings, including another IS bombing in August that killed at least 70 people.

The Islamic State controls significant territory in both Syria and Iraq. Iraqi security forces launched an offensive to retake the city of Mosul from Islamic State control in March. The effort began by isolating the city from surrounding areas and slowly chipping away at IS territory and supply routes, aided by U.S.-led coalition airstrikes. The Kurdish Peshmerga have since joined the effort.

Mosul is considered one of the most important battles in the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq. U.S. President Barack Obama said he expects the city of Mosul to be retaken by the Iraqi government by the end of the year.

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