IS bombing kills 23 in Baghdad

Baghdad

The Islamic State group today claimed a string of bomb attacks that killed at least 23 people in the Iraqi capital Baghdad.

In a statement posted on social media, IS said Sunday night's operation was dubbed "The Pounce of the Monotheists on the Chests of the Apostates".

The blasts, several of which were caused by suicide bombers, left 23 people dead and 68 wounded in Shiite neighbourhoods of Baghdad, according to police and medical sources.

The string of attacks was one of the worst in recent weeks in Baghdad, where it had been feared IS would ramp up bombings during the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

The United Nations said Monday that at least 15,000 civilians have been killed in Iraq's armed conflict since the start of 2014.