[6] The claim, which was released hours after the attack, stated that the organization targeted Shia Muslims.

Iraqi militia “The True Promise Brigades” claimed responsibility and said the attacks were done as revenge for the bombings done by ISIL, which they accuse Riyadh of supporting.

[11] On 28 January, Abu Yasser al-Issawi, a senior ISIS commander, was killed by Iraqi Armed Forces in Al-Chai Valley, southern Kirkuk.

[12] Bahrain,[13] Canada,[14] Egypt,[14] France,[15] Iran,[14] Kuwait,[13] Jordan,[14] Lebanon,[14] Malaysia,[16] Tunisia,[14] Turkey,[17] Saudi Arabia,[13] the United Arab Emirates,[13] Qatar,[14] the United States,[14] Yemen,[14] as well as the partially recognised State of Palestine[14] condemned the attacks.

The Gulf Cooperation Council condemned the attack with the Secretary-General Nayef Al-Hajraf “offering condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.”[13]