World Bulletin / News Desk

Thousands of Iraqis performed prayers in the Al-Karada neighborhood of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, where a massive car-bomb attack claimed by the ISIL extremist group killed 292 people.

The families and relatives of the victims of the bloody attack, which tore through a busy shopping district in central Baghdad, protested the bombing after the prayers.

Meanwhile, General Abdul Ameer al-Shammari, head of Baghdad's security forces, was relieved of his duty along with two top intelligence officials.

The deposal followed Iraqi Interior Minister Mohammed Ghabban's announcement of resignation, saying that the state's security and intelligence system had failed.

The bombing was swiftly claimed by ISIL, which overran vast swathes of territory in northern and western Iraq in 2014.

In a statement circulated online, the extremist group said that the bombing targeted Shia Muslims.