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Iraq violence: Dozens dead in Baghdad suicide attack on Shia | Iraq violence: Dozens dead in Baghdad suicide attack on Shia |
(35 minutes later) | |
At least 32 people have died in a suicide attack targeting Shia in Iraq's capital Baghdad, officials say. | |
More than 60 were injured in the blast, carried out on a tent in a crowded market in a northern district of the city. | |
So-called Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack. | |
Many Shia pilgrims are taking part in mourning rituals commemorating the killing of the Prophet Mohammed's grandson, Hussein, in the 7th Century. | Many Shia pilgrims are taking part in mourning rituals commemorating the killing of the Prophet Mohammed's grandson, Hussein, in the 7th Century. |
Reports say a militant detonated a suicide vest in the tent at lunchtime, when it was full of pilgrims. | Reports say a militant detonated a suicide vest in the tent at lunchtime, when it was full of pilgrims. |
IS said in a statement, published through the messaging service Telegram, that the attack on Saturday was carried out "in the middle of a gathering" in the Shaab area of Baghdad. | |
BBC Middle East editor Sebastian Usher says Sunni militants have long used such pilgrimages as targets for attacks causing large scale casualties. | BBC Middle East editor Sebastian Usher says Sunni militants have long used such pilgrimages as targets for attacks causing large scale casualties. |
This year, IS revived its bombing campaign in Baghdad killing hundreds of people, in what is seen as a response to the group's loss of much of its territory in Iraq. | This year, IS revived its bombing campaign in Baghdad killing hundreds of people, in what is seen as a response to the group's loss of much of its territory in Iraq. |
In July, a lorry packed with explosives was detonated in central Baghdad's popular shopping district of Karrada in what was the deadliest single bomb attack in Iraq since 2007. | |
The latest attack comes as Iraqi forces prepare for an offensive in northern Iraq on Mosul, the last IS-held major city in the country. | The latest attack comes as Iraqi forces prepare for an offensive in northern Iraq on Mosul, the last IS-held major city in the country. |