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Iraq violence: Dozens killed in Shia shrine suicide attack | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Suicide bombers and gunmen have killed at least 35 people at a Shia shrine in Iraq, which so-called Islamic State (IS) said it carried out. | |
At least one bomber blew himself up outside the mausoleum of Sayid Mohammed bin Ali al-Hadi, in Balad, which was then stormed by gunmen, officials say. | |
Another bomber blew himself up among fleeing worshippers, reports say. | |
Meanwhile the death toll from Sunday's suicide bombing in Baghdad has again been raised, from 250 to 292. | Meanwhile the death toll from Sunday's suicide bombing in Baghdad has again been raised, from 250 to 292. |
Worshippers were marking the Eid al-Fitr festival, celebrating the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, when the site came under mortar fire. | |
The first bomber then struck a market at the entrance to the shrine. | |
A third bomber was shot dead before he was able to detonate his explosive vest, reports say. | |
About 50 people were wounded in the attack, police and medical sources say. | |
It came four days after IS carried out the deadliest bombing in Baghdad, 45 miles (70km) south of Balad, since the 2003 US-led invasion. | |
That attack target a shopping complex in the mainly Shia Muslim Karrada district of the city. | |
The militant group follows an extreme form of Sunni Islam and often targets Shias, who it regards as apostates. | |
IS militants overran large parts of northern and western Iraq two years ago, but government forces have since regained much of the territory. | IS militants overran large parts of northern and western Iraq two years ago, but government forces have since regained much of the territory. |
In response to the battlefield setbacks, including the recent loss of the western city of Falluja, the militants have stepped up their attacks on civilians. | In response to the battlefield setbacks, including the recent loss of the western city of Falluja, the militants have stepped up their attacks on civilians. |
The Iraqi government has been accused of not doing enough to protect its citizens and has stepped-up security in Baghdad in response to the latest violence. | The Iraqi government has been accused of not doing enough to protect its citizens and has stepped-up security in Baghdad in response to the latest violence. |