Islamic State claims deadly Baghdad bomb attacks

The Islamic State jihadist group claimed responsibility Sunday for the deadliest spate of bombings to strike the Iraqi capital in weeks, saying a ‘Baghdad cell’ helped carry out the attacks. Seven different explosions in six mainly Shiite districts of Baghdad killed at least 24 people on Saturday, with IS claiming four of the blasts -- two suicide attacks and two car bombs. The group, which last month proclaimed a ‘caliphate’ straddling Syria and Iraq, said the two suicide bombers were a German and a Syrian, and they targeted checkpoints manned by soldiers, police and allied Shiite militiamen. Two suicide attacks were launched in the Abu Dsheer and Kadhimiyah districts, and two cars stuffed with explosives were triggered in Al-Sayidiyeh and Al-Baya districts, it said. IS claimed a toll of more than 150 dead and wounded, without giving a breakdown. Police and medical sources said on Saturday that at least 24 were killed and 75 wounded in the Baghdad explosions, according to AFP.