At least 27 people were killed and dozens wounded in two suicide bombings in and around Iraqi capital Baghdad on Thursday. One attack took place in a busy commercial area in the city, while the other was in the town of Taji, 20 km north of Baghdad. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for both attacks, The Associated Press reported.

At least 15 civilians died and 35 others were injured in an explosion in a predominantly Shiite commercial neighbourhood in Baghdad. In the other attack, 12 people – seven civilians and five troops – died after a suicide bomber crashed an explosive-laden car into an Iraqi army checkpoint, police said.

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for both attacks on a militant website that is commonly used by the terrorists. The Sunni outfit said it was targeting Shiite militia members and the Iraqi Army. The attacks come a day after Iraqi special forces entered Fallujah, an Islamic State stronghold in the country, in a large-scale military offensive. Fallujah is located around 65 km west of Baghdad.