Baghdad, Feb 16 (AP) A car bomb at a Baghdad auto dealership killed at least 55 people and wounded more than 60 today, Iraqi officials said. Also Read - International Flights: Air India Plans To Operate Special Flight From Basra To New Delhi On September 17 | Details Here

Interior Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Saad Maan confirmed the toll from the attack, which took place in the mainly Shiite al-Bayaa neighborhood. Also Read - World Humanitarian Day 2020: History, Significance of The Day And How You Can Help

The Islamic State group claimed the bombing in an online statement circulated by its Aamaq news agency. The Sunni extremist group said it was targeting Shiites. Also Read - Rockets Hit Area Near US Embassy in Baghdad, 19th Attack on Its Assets in Iraq

The extremist group has carried out near-daily attacks in Baghdad despite suffering military setbacks elsewhere in the country, including in the northern city of Mosul, where US-backed Iraqi forces have been waging a major operation since October.

The US State Department condemned the attack at the car dealership, saying such attacks show the extremist group’s “utter contempt for human life and its efforts to sow discord and division among the Iraqi people.”

Another four attacks in and around Baghdad today killed eight people and wounded around 30, police and medical officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief reporters. (AP) CHT

This is published unedited from the PTI feed.