Explosion hits Basra musical instruments store
An explosion in Basra.
The perpetrators detonated the bomb after Saturday midnight at a musical equipment shop in Old Basra region.
“No information is yet available about the culprits,” the sources said, adding it was not known yet whether the attack was terrorist or criminal. The sources revealed that the explosion caused damages to several neighboring shops.
Islamic State has claimed several attacks across Iraqi provinces since it emerged in 2014 to establish a self-styled “Islamic Caliphate”. It has stepped up attacks since security forces launched a major offensive in October to retake Mosul, the group’s largest stronghold in the country.
The group’s extremist doctrine prohibits trading in, or playing, musical instruments.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) said violence in the country left 19000 casualties in nine months of 2016.
Observers believe Islamic State have begun to escalate attacks outside Mosul, where the group has been losing ground and personnel since October, so as to relieve pressure by government forces on that front and to divert attention from group losses.
Observers believe Islamic State have begun to escalate attacks outside Mosul, where the group has been losing ground and personnel since October, so as to relieve pressure by government forces on that front and to divert attention from group losses.