Isis suicide bomber kills at least 20 people at security checkpoint in Baghdad

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Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

At least 20 people, including four police officers, were killed when a suicide bomber attacked a busy security checkpoint in Iraqi capital Baghdad, medical officials have confirmed.

Isis claimed responsibility for the attack in which the bomber walked up to a checkpoint at the entrance of the Kadhimiyah district and detonated his explosive belt.

A further 35 people were injured during the explosion, with many in a critical condition in hospital with severe burns and wounds, medical staff told the Associated Press.

Isis posted a series of statements online, saying the bomber had acted on its behalf.

A security source told Iraqi News: “A suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt detonated on the street leading from the Eden Square to Sanaa Square.

“The [death and injury toll] is likely to increase. Security forces later cordoned off the area. Ambulances rushed to the area and moved the injured victims to a nearby hospital."

Shia neighbourhoods like Kadhimiyah are frequent targets for Isis, which currently controls large areas in northern and western Iraq.

On 7 July, nearly 300 people were killed during an Isis car bombing at a shopping centre in Baghdad, the worst terror attack to hit the capital since the Iraq war.