A car bomb exploded outside a popular ice cream shop in central Baghdad early Tuesday morning, killing 13 people and wounding 24, hospital and police officials said.

The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for the attack, which Iraqi officials said involved apparently remotely detonated explosives inside a parked car. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

The attack came just days into the holy month of Ramadan when Muslims fast during daylight hours. After sundown, families break their fast and Baghdad’s restaurants and cafes quickly fill up.

Ramadan is often marked by an uptick in violence in Iraq.

Tuesday’s attack comes as Iraqi troops are slowing pushing IS fighters out of their last strongholds in the northern city of Mosul. Iraqi commanders say the offensive, which recently entered its eight month, will mark the end of the IS caliphate in Iraq, but concede the group will likely increase insurgent attacks in the wake of military defeats.

SOURCE: AP

• Sri Lanka’s economic recovery remains challenging – IMF
• Sri Lanka will be a fully developed country by 2048; economic growth will be based on four pillars – President
• Sri Lanka’s President announces national transformation roadmap
• Sri Lanka to settle Bangladesh loan by August/ September
• NO fuel shortage, says Minister; CPC to take action against dealers who failed to maintain stocks