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Suicide attack kills at least 47 south of Iraqi capital Suicide attack kills at least 47 south of Iraqi capital
(about 3 hours later)
HILLA, Iraq — A suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden fuel truck into a security checkpoint south of Baghdad on Sunday, killing at least 47 people and wounding dozens, officials said.HILLA, Iraq — A suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden fuel truck into a security checkpoint south of Baghdad on Sunday, killing at least 47 people and wounding dozens, officials said.
The Islamic State asserted responsibility for the attack in an online statement circulated by supporters.The Islamic State asserted responsibility for the attack in an online statement circulated by supporters.
It was the third massive bombing in and around Baghdad in a little more than a week, and it appeared to be part of a campaign by the Islamic State to stage attacks deep behind front lines to wreak havoc and force the government to overextend its forces.It was the third massive bombing in and around Baghdad in a little more than a week, and it appeared to be part of a campaign by the Islamic State to stage attacks deep behind front lines to wreak havoc and force the government to overextend its forces.
Crowds gathered at the scene, picking through rubble and twisted car parts in search of survivors. Smoke rose from smoldering cars that had been lined up at the main checkpoint at the northern entrance to the city of Hilla, which lies 60 miles south of Baghdad.Crowds gathered at the scene, picking through rubble and twisted car parts in search of survivors. Smoke rose from smoldering cars that had been lined up at the main checkpoint at the northern entrance to the city of Hilla, which lies 60 miles south of Baghdad.
“The blast has completely destroyed the checkpoint and its buildings,” Falah al-Khafaji, a senior security official in Hilla, said as he stood at the edge of the blast site. “More than 100 cars have been damaged.”“The blast has completely destroyed the checkpoint and its buildings,” Falah al-Khafaji, a senior security official in Hilla, said as he stood at the edge of the blast site. “More than 100 cars have been damaged.”
The Islamic State has carried out scores of suicide bombings against security forces and the country’s Shiite majority. Hilla is in Iraq’s mainly Shiite south, far from the front lines of the government’s war against the militant group.The Islamic State has carried out scores of suicide bombings against security forces and the country’s Shiite majority. Hilla is in Iraq’s mainly Shiite south, far from the front lines of the government’s war against the militant group.
Among the dead were 39 civilians, while the rest were members of the security forces. The attacker struck shortly after noon, when the checkpoint was crowded with dozens of cars, a police officer said. He added that up to 65 people were wounded.Among the dead were 39 civilians, while the rest were members of the security forces. The attacker struck shortly after noon, when the checkpoint was crowded with dozens of cars, a police officer said. He added that up to 65 people were wounded.
A medical official confirmed the casualty figures. Both officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release information to the news media.A medical official confirmed the casualty figures. Both officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release information to the news media.
Iraq has experienced a spike in violence in the past month, with suicide attacks claimed by the Islamic State killing more than 170 people. The attacks follow a string of advances by Iraqi forces backed by U.S.-led airstrikes, including in the western city of Ramadi, which was declared fully “liberated” from militants by Iraqi and U.S.-led coalition officials last month.Iraq has experienced a spike in violence in the past month, with suicide attacks claimed by the Islamic State killing more than 170 people. The attacks follow a string of advances by Iraqi forces backed by U.S.-led airstrikes, including in the western city of Ramadi, which was declared fully “liberated” from militants by Iraqi and U.S.-led coalition officials last month.
Attacks such as the Sunday bombing “force the government and the militias to look back and reallocate resources and reassess,” said Bill Roggio, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, referring to the mainly Shiite militias fighting alongside government forces.Attacks such as the Sunday bombing “force the government and the militias to look back and reallocate resources and reassess,” said Bill Roggio, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, referring to the mainly Shiite militias fighting alongside government forces.
The Islamic State still controls large swaths of Iraq and neighboring Syria and has declared an Islamic “caliphate” on the territory it holds. The extremist group controls the key Iraqi city of Mosul, as well as the city of Fallujah, about 45 miles west of Baghdad. The Islamic State still controls large swaths of Iraq and neighboring Syria and has declared an Islamic “caliphate” in the territory it holds. The extremist group controls the key Iraqi city of Mosul, as well as the city of Fallujah, about 45 miles west of Baghdad.
At least 670 Iraqis were killed last month in the violence, of whom about two-thirds were civilians, according to the United Nations.At least 670 Iraqis were killed last month in the violence, of whom about two-thirds were civilians, according to the United Nations.
— Associated Press— Associated Press