The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the recent spate of car bombs in Baghdad, Reuters reports. The bombings happened mainly in Shiite areas and have left at least 27 people dead.
“The toll of these blessed operations was the killing and wounding of 150 people,” ISIS said in a statement. They also warned of more attacks to come.
Militants with ISIS led an offensive in northern and western Iraq and took control of large swathes of land in mid June. The extremist group then declared the establishment of a caliphate later that month. The international community has urged Iraq to form a new, inclusive government to combat the Sunni insurgency.
Many Iraqis have criticized Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s response to ISIS and have demanded he step down. Maliki has so far refused to relinquish his post.
