In a statement, Guterres extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, the Government and people of Iraq and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

The UN chief called the deadly attack in Baghdad’s Al-Sadr City ‘a reminder to us all that the scourge of terrorism knows no bounds’.

‘The secretary-general underlines the need for the perpetrators of this crime to be swiftly brought to justice,’ the statement read.

According to preliminary reports from Iraqi authorities, the incident was triggered by a homemade device blast in the Al-Wuhailat crowded market as families prepared for the Islamic festival of Eid-al-Adha on Tuesday.

Although the government declared victory in its war against the jihadist group at the end of 2017, so called ¨sleeper cells¨ continue to wage a low-level insurgency in the country.

pgh/Pll/msm / ifb