BAGHDAD — Gunmen set off a car bomb at the entrance to a mall in mainly Shiite eastern Baghdad on Monday, killing at least 10 people and wounding 25.
Moments later the attackers raced inside and took hostages, Iraqi officials said.
Police and medical officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief reporters, estimated that 50-75 people were trapped inside the Jawhara mall.
They said gunmen could be seen on the roof of the mall, which was surrounded by police and soldiers.
They said at least three police were among the dead.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Islamic State group often targets the country’s Shiite majority.
Iraqi special forces were called to the scene, reported the BBC.
