Bombings kill 62 on sixth day of blood-soaked week in Baghdad

BAGHDAD — A series of bomb attacks mainly targeting Shiite areas of Baghdad killed 62 people today.

It was the latest in six consecutive days of attacks in and around the Iraqi capital. Responsibility for most has been claimed by the Sunni extremist Islamic State group.

The deadliest attack hit the northern Shiite district of al-Shaab, where a bomb blast and suicide explosion killed 44 civilians, according to witnesses and security and medical officials.

An initial bomb blast was followed by a female suicide bomber who blew herself up in a marketplace, they said.

Islamic State supporters on social media circulated a claim of responsibility saying a male suicide bomber had carried out the attack. The bomber had targeted members of Shiite paramilitary forces, the statement claimed.

A news agency could not independently authenticate the claim, but it was similar to previous such claims issued by the extremist group.

Islamic State has frequently targeted crowded markets and restaurants in mainly Shiite areas, as well as attacking Shiite religious ceremonies and security forces.

Later today, a car bomb hit a marketplace in the Shiite Sadr City district in the east of the city, killing 18 people and injuring 57, according to police and witnesses.