Twin Islamic State suicide bombings at a Baghdad shopping mall killed at least 40 people, targeting a Shia civilian gathering.
Key Facts
- Date
- 9 September 2016, just before midnight
- Attack type
- Twin suicide car bombings
- Target location
- al-Nakheel Mall, Palestine Street, eastern Baghdad
- Killed
- At least 40 people
- Wounded
- At least 60 people
- Claimed by
- Islamic State (via Amaq News Agency)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Islamic State carried out targeted attacks against Shia civilians in Baghdad as part of its sectarian campaign of violence in Iraq. The Amaq News Agency, affiliated with the group, stated the bombers deliberately targeted a gathering of Shia Muslims at a busy commercial location on a Friday night.
On 9 September 2016, two suicide bombers detonated car bombs at the al-Nakheel Mall on Palestine Street in eastern Baghdad. The first explosion occurred in the mall's car park; a second attacker then detonated his vehicle in the adjacent busy street shortly afterward, maximizing casualties among civilians.
At least 40 people were killed and 60 wounded in the blasts. The attack underscored the continued capacity of Islamic State to strike civilian targets in the Iraqi capital despite ongoing military pressure on the group, and added to the toll of sectarian bombings afflicting Baghdad throughout the conflict period.