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Reconstruction Begins on Baghdad Shopping Complex Bombed in July

Government officials on Saturday began the reconstruction process on a central shopping complex weeks after it was destroyed by the deadliest suicide bombing in Iraq in years, amid criticism for their failure to help businesses struggling to rebuild in the busy commercial area. Mayor Zekra Alwach toured the complex in the central Karrada neighborhood, shortly […]

Ben Kesling writes for The Wall Street Journal:

Government officials on Saturday began the reconstruction process on a central shopping complex weeks after it was destroyed by the deadliest suicide bombing in Iraq in years, amid criticism for their failure to help businesses struggling to rebuild in the busy commercial area.

Mayor Zekra Alwach toured the complex in the central Karrada neighborhood, shortly after trucks began clearing rubble. She promised compensation to victims and government funds to shop owners.

July’s truck bombing struck as streets were packed with revelers breaking fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and was claimed by Islamic State militants. The extremist group regularly stages suicide attacks across the capital, a return to more guerrilla-style tactics as it loses ground on the battlefield.