January 2021 Baghdad bombings

Overview

The January 2021 Baghdad bombings were a pair of terrorist attacks carried out by two suicide bombers at an open-air market in central Baghdad, Iraq, on 21 January 2021. The attacks killed at least 32 people and injured another 110, and were the Iraqi capital's first terrorist attack since 2019.

Background

Terrorist attacks in Iraq became rare following the defeat of the Islamic State in late 2017. Between 2003 and 2017, attacks had been common across the country, with Baghdad and nearby cities as the main targets. The last major deadly attack against civilians in the post-war period had occurred at the same location in January 2018, killing at least 35 people.

The Attack

In the early morning hours, a clothing market in Tayaran Square, central Baghdad, was crowded with shoppers, as the market had recently reopened after being closed for about a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Iraq. An attacker entered and shouted "My stomach is hurting!" in Arabic. As people approached him, he detonated a device, killing several people. A second suicide bomber then struck, and together the two attacks killed 32 civilians and wounded more than 110 others, with several victims left in critical condition.

Claim of Responsibility

Amaq News Agency credited bombers from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) hours after the attack, stating the organization had targeted Shia Muslims. This was later confirmed by an official ISIL statement claiming responsibility for both bombings.

Aftermath

The Kata'ib Hezbollah militia accused the United States, Israel, and Saudi Arabia of responsibility for the attack and vowed to extend the "battle" into Saudi Arabia. On 22 January 2021, missile and drone strikes targeted the Saudi capital, Riyadh. An Iraqi militia calling itself "The True Promise Brigades" claimed responsibility for these strikes, describing them as revenge for the Baghdad bombings, which they alleged Riyadh had supported. The Saudi government held the Yemeni Houthi movement responsible, though the Houthis denied launching the strike. On 28 January 2021, Abu Yasser al-Issawi, described as a senior ISIS commander, was killed by Iraqi Armed Forces in Al-Chai Valley, southern Kirkuk.

International Reactions

Numerous countries condemned the attacks, including Bahrain, Canada, Egypt, France, Iran, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Tunisia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, the United States, Yemen, and Palestine. The Gulf Cooperation Council also condemned the attack, with Secretary-General Nayef Al-Hajraf offering condolences to victims' families and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.