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Iraqi bombers kill Shia Muslims | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Iraqi police say 36 people have been killed in bomb attacks targeting Shia Muslims. | |
In one attack, 30 people died near the northern city of Mosul when a car bomb exploded outside a mosque during a funeral service. | |
In Baghdad three bombs killed six people returning from a pilgrimage. | |
The attacks come as Shia Muslims across the country are marking one of their biggest religious holidays. | |
Iraq has seen frequent sectarian strife between its Shia and Sunni Muslims. | Iraq has seen frequent sectarian strife between its Shia and Sunni Muslims. |
I hurried to the mosque to search for my father in the ruins Khalil Qasim Eyewitness to Mosul mosque attack | I hurried to the mosque to search for my father in the ruins Khalil Qasim Eyewitness to Mosul mosque attack |
The mosque attack near Mosul - which is about 400km (250 miles) north-west of Baghdad - took place in a village named by Reuters news agency as Shreikhan. | |
It killed 30 people and wounded at least 61, and police said the number of casualties was likely to rise. | |
Mosul is still one of the most troubled cities in Iraq, a place where Sunni insurgency is still believed to be strong. | |
US and Iraqi officials have described the city as al-Qaeda in Iraq's last major urban stronghold in Iraq. | |
City authorities have urged citizens to donate blood and appealed for construction vehicles to lift debris trapping victims of the attack, according to Reuters. | |
"I was in the house when this explosion happened," said eyewitness Khalil Qasim, 19, speaking through his tears. | "I was in the house when this explosion happened," said eyewitness Khalil Qasim, 19, speaking through his tears. |
"I hurried to the mosque to search for my father in the ruins... I found him seriously wounded, and took him to hospital, but he died." | "I hurried to the mosque to search for my father in the ruins... I found him seriously wounded, and took him to hospital, but he died." |
News agencies report that most people in the village are from Iraq's ethnic Turkmen community and Shia by religion. | News agencies report that most people in the village are from Iraq's ethnic Turkmen community and Shia by religion. |
Turkmens, who also count Sunnis and Christians among their number, are a minority in Mosul, a city of about 1.8 million people which is mainly populated by Sunni Arabs. | Turkmens, who also count Sunnis and Christians among their number, are a minority in Mosul, a city of about 1.8 million people which is mainly populated by Sunni Arabs. |
Pilgrims | |
In Baghdad, six Shia pilgrims were killed in roadside bomb explosions. They were returning from Karbala, a holy city south of Baghdad. | |
They had been among hundreds of thousands of Shia pilgrims who gather in Karbala to mark the birth of Mohammed al-Mehdi - the 12th and last Shia Imam, known as the Hidden Imam. | |
These pilgrims have often been targeted by attacks in the past. | |
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Iraqi pilgrims gather in Karbala | Iraqi pilgrims gather in Karbala |
More than 20,000 Iraqi police have been deployed to protect them. | |
Many Iraqis say the government has yet to prove it is in full control of security. | Many Iraqis say the government has yet to prove it is in full control of security. |
The BBC's Natalya Antelava in Baghdad says the government is accusing Sunni insurgents linked to al-Qaeda of trying to reignite sectarian tensions in the country. | The BBC's Natalya Antelava in Baghdad says the government is accusing Sunni insurgents linked to al-Qaeda of trying to reignite sectarian tensions in the country. |
But while the majority of attacks in recent days have been aimed at Shia communities, some Sunnis have also been targeted, our correspondent says. | But while the majority of attacks in recent days have been aimed at Shia communities, some Sunnis have also been targeted, our correspondent says. |
Last Friday, a series of apparently co-ordinated bombs outside five Shia mosques in Baghdad killed at least 29 people and injured more than 130. | Last Friday, a series of apparently co-ordinated bombs outside five Shia mosques in Baghdad killed at least 29 people and injured more than 130. |
But just two days ago a bomb killed three and wounded many more in one of Baghdad's predominantly Sunni neighbourhoods. | But just two days ago a bomb killed three and wounded many more in one of Baghdad's predominantly Sunni neighbourhoods. |
Are you in Iraq? Do you know someone undertaking the pilgrimage to Karbala? You can send us your experiences using the form below. | Are you in Iraq? Do you know someone undertaking the pilgrimage to Karbala? You can send us your experiences using the form below. |
A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |