ISIS claim responsibility for attack on Baghdad mall with 18 killed and 50 injured

Gunmen killed at least 18 people and took an estimated 75 more hostage after blowing up a car bomb and storming a shopping mall in eastern Baghdad. After detonating the bomb then opening fire on crowds, the gunmen holed up in the shopping centre in the Baghdad al-Jadida district, amid fears they were wearing suicide belts. However, Iraqi commandos landed on the roof, where they clashed with attackers inside, killing two and arresting another four.
ISIS has now claimed responsibility for the attack, which would mark a step up in coordination for an attack in Baghdad, which ISIS has previously only subjected to crude suicide bombings. A police official said the attackers entered the mall and when security forces got too close, they killed three hostages. A large plume of black smoke could be seen billowing into the sky above the area where the mall was located.

The bomb detonated at the entrance of Al Jawhara Mall

Police said a counter-terrorism force from the intelligence services was dispatched and snipers posted on buildings around the mall. An interior ministry source said the gunmen opened fire in the street after a car bomb exploded at the entrance to the mall and briefly clashed with members of the security forces before entering.