Car bomb targets Iraqi security forces in Baghdad suburb

A huge car bomb driven by a suicide attacker targeted Iraqi security forces in Baghdad's western suburb of Abu Ghraib on Monday evening, killing at least 9 and injuring 22.

A source within the army's Baghdad operations command told The New Arab that the car bomb targeted a gathering of Iraqi soldiers and Popular Moblisation Forces at Abu Ghraib's western entrance.

The source who wished to remain anonymous said the attack coincided with an attack by Islamic State group (IS) militants on the neighbouring area of Khan Dari, where heavy clashes took place between militants and security forces.

IS militants had launched an assault which included multiple suicide car-bombings on Abu Ghraib on Sunday morning, which was repelled by Iraqi security forces.

Later on Sunday, IS suicide bombers targeted a popular market in the Shia neighbourhood of Sadr City in Baghdad killing and injuring some 160 people.

"The final death toll stood at 62 killed and 98 wounded," Colonel Hussein al-Darraji from the Police station in Sadr city told The New Arab.

Several of the critically injured died overnight while 98 wounded remain in hospitals.

"The injured were split across three hospitals - al-Kindi hospital, al-Hussein hospital and Ibn-Sina hospital," Darraji told The New Arab.

"Among the victims were children, women and elderly who were at the market, which is known for selling cheap goods," Darraji added. "They were ordinary Iraqis going about their daily lives."

In a separate attack on Monday, at least 27 people were killed and dozens injured when a suicide bomber targeted a funeral procession in Diyala province, east of Baghdad.

A local security source confirmed the attack to The New Arab and said the death toll is expected to increase.

The anonymous source said "Iraqi forces imposed tight security measures and closed off the area in fear of more attacks," noting that dozens of paramilitary fighters had deployed in the area to begin security checks following the attack.

A spokesman for the joint military operations, Yahya Rasool that the IS group is attempting to win a media war through such actions. Rasool suggested the attacks are meant to boost the morale of IS militants especially after recent losses in the country.