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February 28, 2016: Suicide bombing in Baghdad cellphone market

On February 28, 2016 ISIS claimed a double suicide attack at a Baghdad cellphone market in which 70 were killed and 100 injured.

BAGHDAD, IRAQ – You know what is most ‘terrifying’ about terrorism? How it can strike during the most mundane of activities.

Ah, the ubiquitous cellphone! Is there anything more loved – and hated – in the modern world? According to an outfit called GSMA, there are more than 5 BILLION people in the world who own a mobile device. That represents 2/3 of all Earthlings – WOW!

And what do we do with all those phones. Well, aside from actually talking into one we play games, take pictures (does ANYONE own a real camera nowadays?), do our banking and browse the World Wide Web. Have we ever come a long way since Scottish-born Canadian Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone!

Can I play Call of Duty on this contraption? (Photo: By Gilbert H. Grosvenor Collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress, Public Domain)

All these devices require maintenance, ranging from recharging to upgrading to full replacement, and sometimes those activities necessitate heading to a cellphone dealer. Unfortunately, this mundane act can present an ideal opportunity to a terrorist.

On this day in 2016

Islamic State (ISIS) claimed a double suicide attack in the predominantly Shia quarter of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, named Sadr City. 70 people were killed at a crowded mobile phone market; another 100 were injured.

Our swords will not cease to cut off the heads of the rejectionist polytheists, wherever they are.

ISIS statement

Life in Iraq has been hellish enough without having to worry about two guys on motorcycles bent on killing you as you buy a new cellphone. Shame on ISIS!

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By Phil Gurski

Phil Gurski is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. Phil is a 32-year veteran of CSE and CSIS and the author of six books on terrorism.

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