Gunmen storm Baghdad mall, killing 18

By SUSANNAH GEORGE

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi officials say gunmen have stormed a mall in a mainly Shiite neighborhood in eastern Baghdad, killing at least 18 people and taking hostages.

Police and medical officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief reporters, say the gunmen set off a car bomb at the entrance to the mall on Monday before moving in. The officials say another 25 people were wounded in the attack and that three police are among the dead.

The officials estimated that 50-75 people were trapped in the mall.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Islamic State group often targets the country's Shiite majority.

IS claimed responsibility in an online statement.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.