Gunmen set off a car bomb outside a Baghdad mall Monday before entering, killing at least 18 people and wounding 50 others, The Associated Press reports, citing Iraqi officials. The Islamic State has purportedly claimed responsibility for the attack in the predominantly Shiite neighborhood, saying four of their fighters were behind it, but Iraqi officials said there were more attackers, some of whom were killed.
The attack, which was described by officials as a hostage situation, lasted about 1.5 hours, with Iraqi forces surrounding the building and fighting gunmen inside.
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