This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/12/world/middleeast/baghdad-market-bomb-isis.html

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Car Bomb, Claimed by ISIS, Kills Dozens in Baghdad Market Car Bomb, Claimed by ISIS, Kills Dozens in Baghdad Market
(35 minutes later)
BAGHDAD — A parked pickup truck exploded in a crowded food market in the Sadr City section of Baghdad around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, killing at least 66 people and wounding 87 others, according to Iraqi authorities.BAGHDAD — A parked pickup truck exploded in a crowded food market in the Sadr City section of Baghdad around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, killing at least 66 people and wounding 87 others, according to Iraqi authorities.
The explosives were apparently hidden in the truck, which was loaded with fruit and vegetables, witnesses said. Blood covered the ground, and clothing and slippers, apparently from the victims, were scattered over a wide area of the market. At least 30 shops were damaged, and as many as 20 cars were burned or destroyed.The explosives were apparently hidden in the truck, which was loaded with fruit and vegetables, witnesses said. Blood covered the ground, and clothing and slippers, apparently from the victims, were scattered over a wide area of the market. At least 30 shops were damaged, and as many as 20 cars were burned or destroyed.
The death toll from the attack rose steadily through the day. In the late afternoon, Hakim al-Zamili, the head of the Security and Defense Committee of the Iraqi Parliament, said the number of dead could be as high as 95.The death toll from the attack rose steadily through the day. In the late afternoon, Hakim al-Zamili, the head of the Security and Defense Committee of the Iraqi Parliament, said the number of dead could be as high as 95.
The market is especially busy in the morning hours. Witnesses said a man driving the truck had waited in a line of vehicles to enter the market. After parking the truck, he left, and the vehicle exploded about five minutes later, according to Murtadha Ali, 55, who was in the area at the time. The market is especially busy in the morning. Witnesses said a man driving the truck had waited in a line of vehicles to enter the market. After parking the truck, he left, and the vehicle exploded about five minutes later, according to Murtadha Ali, 55, who was in the area at the time.
Another witness, Ahmed Ali, 26, said that emergency workers had been tardy in their response. “The reaction of the ambulances was slow and weak,” he said.Another witness, Ahmed Ali, 26, said that emergency workers had been tardy in their response. “The reaction of the ambulances was slow and weak,” he said.
Among the scores of victims were at least 14 women and 10 children, according to Iraqi officials.Among the scores of victims were at least 14 women and 10 children, according to Iraqi officials.
The Islamic State quickly claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement circulated on social media accounts. The fundamentalist Sunni terrorist organization, also known as ISIS, ISIL or Daesh, has frequently targeted Shiite communities, of which Sadr City is one of Iraq’s largest.The Islamic State quickly claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement circulated on social media accounts. The fundamentalist Sunni terrorist organization, also known as ISIS, ISIL or Daesh, has frequently targeted Shiite communities, of which Sadr City is one of Iraq’s largest.
The office of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi denounced the attack, saying in a statement that “the latest explosions will not stop us from fighting Daesh.”The office of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi denounced the attack, saying in a statement that “the latest explosions will not stop us from fighting Daesh.”
There have been two huge and deadly explosions in Sadr City since last summer. On Aug. 13, a huge truck bomb devastated a food market in the district, and in Feb. 28, a pair of bombers attacked yet another market there. In both cases, dozens of people died, and the Islamic State claimed responsibility.There have been two huge and deadly explosions in Sadr City since last summer. On Aug. 13, a huge truck bomb devastated a food market in the district, and in Feb. 28, a pair of bombers attacked yet another market there. In both cases, dozens of people died, and the Islamic State claimed responsibility.
Iraqi forces, backed by airstrikes from the American-led coalition fighting the Islamic State and by Shiite-dominated paramilitary forces, have regained some territory seized by the Islamic State in 2014. They have been unable to stop the terrorist group from making attacks in the heart of Baghdad, however.Iraqi forces, backed by airstrikes from the American-led coalition fighting the Islamic State and by Shiite-dominated paramilitary forces, have regained some territory seized by the Islamic State in 2014. They have been unable to stop the terrorist group from making attacks in the heart of Baghdad, however.
In February, after the earlier bombings, Iraqi security forces announced plans to build a wall around Baghdad in an effort to prevent further attacks.In February, after the earlier bombings, Iraqi security forces announced plans to build a wall around Baghdad in an effort to prevent further attacks.
Iraq has been in a near-constant state of political crisis in recent months. On April 30, demonstrators stormed the heavily fortified Green Zone and occupied Parliament, demanding an end to sectarian quotas in politics, a fight against corruption, and improved governance.Iraq has been in a near-constant state of political crisis in recent months. On April 30, demonstrators stormed the heavily fortified Green Zone and occupied Parliament, demanding an end to sectarian quotas in politics, a fight against corruption, and improved governance.
The protesters were mostly supporters of the powerful Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr. Sadr City is named after Mr. Sadr’s father, Ayatollah Muhammad Sadiq al-Sadr.The protesters were mostly supporters of the powerful Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr. Sadr City is named after Mr. Sadr’s father, Ayatollah Muhammad Sadiq al-Sadr.
After the explosion on Wednesday, protesters gathered in Sadr City, chanting that they would not back down from their demands for reform. After the explosion on Wednesday, protesters gathered in Sadr City, chanting that they would not back down from their demands for change.
Mr. Zamili, the member of Parliament, lamented the government’s failure to protect citizens from terrorist attacks, saying it showed far more concern for protecting the Green Zone than for protecting innocent civilians in neighborhoods like Sadr City.Mr. Zamili, the member of Parliament, lamented the government’s failure to protect citizens from terrorist attacks, saying it showed far more concern for protecting the Green Zone than for protecting innocent civilians in neighborhoods like Sadr City.