One killed, 8 wounded in blasts east, west of Baghdad

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) One civilian was killed and eight others were wounded on Thursday when bomb blast rocked areas east and west of Baghdad, according to security sources.

Alghad Press quoted sources saying that an explosive device exploded near a cattle market in MAdaen, southeast of the capital, killing one and wounding three others.

Another bomb, also planted near a cattle market, exploded in al-Haswa district, leaving five wounded, according to Al-maalomah website.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) has said that violence in the country lef 1115 casualties, excluding security members, during March. Baghdad was the second most affected province with 84 deaths and 246 injuries, according to the organization’s monthly casualty count.

While several blasts are not followed by a claim of responsibility, Islamic State militants said they had been behind some bloody explosions and attacks that hit the capital in the past months, leaving casualties among civilians and security troops.

Some observers believe Islamic State has been escalating attacks outside the city of 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. They are concerned that the group could, however, shift to a guerrilla-style war and lone wolf attacks after the recapture of Mosul.