27 killed in twin suicide bombings in central Baghdad

BAGHDAD -- Twin suicide bomb explosions struck busy area in downtown Baghdad Monday, leaving 27 people killed and 92 others wounded, as fears rose in the Iraqi capital from a wave of violence months ahead the country's general elections.

Two suicide bombers carried out the two massive blasts during the morning rush hours at a crowded site near al-Tayaran Square where many construction workers usually gather waiting for potential employers, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua.

"Our latest report indicates that 27 were killed and 92 wounded by the two blast in al-Tayaran Square," the source said.

Meanwhile, a medical source told Xinhua that hospitals in Baghdad received the bodies of 27 people and that over 90 others were admitted for medical treatment.

"All the hospitals and medical centers are in high alert to receive the victims of the terrorist attacks in central Baghdad," said Abdul-Ghani Saadon, director general of health department of Risafa area in eastern Baghdad.

"Most of the wounded have received treatment and many of them left the hospitals," Abdul-Ghani told Xinhua.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attacks, but the Islamic State (IS) group, in most cases, is responsible for such suicide deadly attacks targeting crowded areas in Iraq, including markets, cafes and mosques.

Later in the day, the media office of the Iraqi Joint Operations Command (JOC) warned of attempts to provoke panic among Baghdad residents through spreading rumors of more massive bombings across the city.