ISIL now 'weak,' says Iraqi PM

Baghdad has been rocked by two more bomb blasts, killing at least 17 people.

They happened ten minutes apart and struck as restaurants were packed.

There’s been a spike in attacks in the Iraqi capital, as government forces fight to dislodge ISIL militants from the north and west of the country.

Canada is part of a US-led coalition battling the militants. The country’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been meeting his Iraqi counterpart in Baghdad.

“Islamic State is retreating and is now weak. Thank God we have liberated all the territories of Diyala province and most of Salahuddin province. Baghdad has become safer than at any time,” said Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi.

After meeting Abadi, Harper flew to Iraq’s northern Kurdish region, where he was due to hold talks with officials.

Canada has special forces operating in northern Iraq, in an advisory rather than combat role.