Blasts kill at least 18 people in central Baghdad

Two explosions have rocked the central part of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, killing at least 18 people, according to police.

The blasts hit a market in the Al-Sinek area in Baghdad in the rush hour on Saturday morning. The first blast appears to have been from explosives planted in a car. The second one seems to have gone off when an individual detonated an explosive vest when first responders had arrived to rescue the victims from the first explosion.

A police colonel cited by AFP said at least 38 others were also injured in the blasts.

Some reports have put the death toll at 21.

No one has yet claimed responsibility for the blasts, and authorities have identified no suspects yet, either.

Iraq has been in war with the Daesh terrorist group since 2014. But acts of violence and terrorism had been a feature of daily life even before then.

Data from monthly reports issued by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) shows that acts of terrorism has killed a total of 12,038 Iraqis and injured 14,411 others since the beginning of the current year.