Islamic State says it's behind Baghdad suicide blasts

Islamic State claims responsibility for two suicide bombers who targeted Iraqi police checkpoints in commercial areas in central Baghdad during rush hour Thursday, killing at least 21 people, officials say.

Both attacks are carried out by bombers on foot, wearing explosives-laden vests, two police officers say. One bomber strikes in Baghdad’s Bab al-Sharji area, killing nine civilians and three police officers there. Forty-five people are wounded in that explosion.

The second bomber hits in al-Wathba Square, killing nine people, including four policemen, and wounding 31.

In a statement posted on its Twitter accounts, IS claims responsibility for the attacks, saying it targeted police and Shiite paramilitary forces.

— AP