By Ali Jawad
BAGHDAD (AA) - The death toll in Thursday's twin terror attacks targeting Iraq’s southern province of Thi Qar has risen to 84, a military official said Friday.
The Health Department had initially put the death toll as 50 after Daesh terrorists fired randomly at a restaurant located next to the international highway in Thi Qar before detonating a bomb-laden vehicle near a checkpoint.
"The death toll rose to 84 after a number of the injured succumbed to their wounds at hospitals across the province," Capt. Mohammed Nayef told Anadolu Agency.
Most of the casualties are Iranians, Nayef said, adding the army and police had launched an extensive investigation into the attack.
Nayef went on to say that "initial findings suggest that the Daesh elements managed to reach there [the site of attack] via desert roads free of presence of the security forces".
The Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a statement Thursday condemning the attacks.
"We also express our condolences to the fellow peoples of Iraq and Iran," said the statement.