DUSHANBE, 18.02.2017. /NIAT “Khovar”/. The United Nations on Friday condemned recent terrorist attacks in Iraq’s capital Baghdad, calling them as «atrocious crimes.»

According to Xinhua news agency, on Thursday, a car bomb attack rocked a crowded commercial area in southwestern Baghdad, killing at least 45 people while injuring 56 others. The extremist group Islamic State (IS, banned in Tajikistan) has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The attack came just a day after a deadly suicide minibus bomb attack hit a heavily populated neighborhood of Sadr City, leaving nine people killed and more than 30 wounded.

«We convey our solidarity to the people of Iraq in resisting attempts to spread fear, intimidation and hatred,» UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq told a daily briefing.

«The United Nations will continue to stand by the government and people of Iraq in their efforts to fight terrorism and violent extremism, notably by building trust and mutual understanding through peaceful and inclusive dialogue,» said Haq.

The attacks might be triggered by the fact that the Iraqi security forces backed by anti-IS international coalition are carrying out a major offensive to drive out the IS militants from its last major stronghold in and around Mosul.