“The reports said that at least seven civilians were killed and more than 20 others wounded, while unknown number of hostages were held in Baghdad mall”, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
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Gunmen have stormed a shopping centre in a mainly Shiite neighbourhood in eastern Baghdad, killing at least 10 people and taking hostages.
“When the security forces got too close, they killed three hostages”, he said.
IS claimed that a total of 90 people were killed or wounded but the group has exaggerated the number of casualties caused by its attacks in previous such statements.
The Jawaher mall is in the Shia neighborhood of Baghdad Jadida, in the east.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but the Islamic State group that is at war in Iraq often targets the country’s Shiite majority.
If true, this incident would mark a rare instance of ISIS taking hostages at the site of an attack ever since they took control of large parts of Iraq in 2014.
Officials reporting the situation revealed the attackers had complete control of the mall for awhile.
Helicopters flew overhead as security forces searched the scene and the roads gradually reopened.
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Some were considered to be wearing explosive vests and gunmen were about the roofing of the shopping centre, they included. Security officials say fierce battles and relentless air strikes have depleted its manpower.
