Death toll from twin car bombing in Iraq rises to 15

The death toll from the recent twin car bomb attacks targeting two hotels in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, has reached 15.

Iraqi authorities, who were speaking on condition of anonymity, said Friday that some 42 others also sustained injuries in the blasts.

The explosions occurred late Thursday when two separate car bombs went off in the parking lots of the Babylon Hotel and Ishtar, formerly the Sheraton Hotel.

Initial reports said 10 people were killed and 27 others were wounded in the explosions, but the casualty figures rose overnight.

No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the deadly attacks yet, but Iraqi officials often blame such attacks on ISIL Takfiri terrorists, who seized large swaths of the country during a blitz last year.

Baghdad has been witnessing deadly bombings over the past few days. On May 23, a bomb exploded close to a restaurant in the central Sheikh Omar neighborhood, killing one civilian and wounding five others.

The bombings in Baghdad come as the Iraqi army, along with volunteer forces, is fighting the Takfiri terrorists across the country, especially in the provinces of Anbar and Salahuddin.

During the past few days, Iraqi forces have managed to retake some areas in the two provinces from ISIL Takfiri terrorists besides killing a large number of the militants.

YH/NN/HMV

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk