ISIS claims responsibility for twin Baghdad bombings

BAGHDAD, Iraq – The Islamic State group (ISIS) claimed responsibility for a pair of suicide bombings on Thursday that  shook the Iraqi capital and killed at least 24 people.

The radical group posted a statement on various websites, claiming that two of its suicide bombers had targeted police and the pro-government Shiite militia, known as Hash al-Shaabi.

Hospital officials said at least 121 people, some with life threatening injuries, were being treated after the explosions in the Wasba and Bab al-Sharji districts of Baghdad.

ISIS has in the past two years claimed responsibility for a series of attacks on both government forces and civilians, including a supermarket bombing last month in which 67 people were killed.

The new wave of bombings comes weeks after the government announced it will open the heavily fortified Green Zone district in Baghdad where most official institutions are based, for easier public access.