A market in Baghdad became a horror scene this morning when a twin suicide bombing killed at least 28 and wounded more than 73.
A wounded man is assisted by a medical crew at the site of a suicide attack in Baghdad, Iraq this morning. (Photo by Reuters).
The suicide bombing attack, the first in three years to target the Tayaran Square market in the Bab al-Sharqi commercial area, comes amid heightened political tensions over planned early elections and a severe economic crisis.
According to reports from the scene, one of the attackers faked illness before detonating his vest as people came to his aid. The second man set off his bomb as people carried victims of the first blast.
Iraq's military said at least 28 people were killed and 73 wounded in the attack and said some of the injured were in serious condition.
The country's Health Ministry announced all of its hospitals in the capital were mobilised to treat the wounded.
The attack occurred as security forces pursued two suicide bombers who detonated their explosives in the market near Tayaran Square, according to military spokesman Yahya Rasool.
Blood smeared the floors of the busy market amid piles of clothes and shoes as survivors took stock of the disarray in the aftermath.
The suicide bombings marked the first in three years to target Baghdad's bustling commercial area.
A suicide bomb attack took place in the same area in 2018 shortly after then-prime minister Haidar al-Abadi declared victory over so-called Islamic State (IS).
No-one immediately took responsibility for Thursday's attack, but Iraq has seen assaults perpetrated by both IS and militia groups in recent months.
Militias have routinely targeted the American presence in Iraq with rocket and mortar attacks, especially the US embassy in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone.
The pace of those attacks, however, has decreased since an informal truce was declared by Iran-backed armed groups in October.
The style of Thursday's assault was similar to those IS has conducted in the past.
But the group has rarely been able to penetrate the capital since being dislodged by Iraqi forces and the US-led coalition in 2017.
The twin bombings came days after Iraq's government unanimously agreed to hold early elections in October.
Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi had announced in July that early polls would be held to meet the demands of anti-government protesters.
Demonstrators took to the streets in the tens of thousands last year to demand political change, and an end to rampant corruption and poor services.
More than 500 people were killed in mass demonstrations as security forces used live rounds and tear gas to disperse crowds.
Iraq is also grappling with a severe economic crisis brought on by low oil prices that has led the government to borrow internally and risk depleting its foreign currency reserves.
The Central Bank of Iraq devalued Iraq's dinar by nearly 20% last year to meet spending obligations.