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Anti-al-Qaeda militia killed in new Iraq attack | Anti-al-Qaeda militia killed in new Iraq attack |
(35 minutes later) | |
At least 19 people have been killed in a suicide bomb attack in central Iraq aimed at pro-government militia, officials say. | At least 19 people have been killed in a suicide bomb attack in central Iraq aimed at pro-government militia, officials say. |
More than 40 people were injured in the blast in the town of Taji, about 20km (12 miles) north of Baghdad. | More than 40 people were injured in the blast in the town of Taji, about 20km (12 miles) north of Baghdad. |
The majority of the victims were members of the Sunni Sahwa militia, which has been fighting al-Qaeda. | |
The attack comes a day after at least 16 people were killed in a raid on a police HQ in Kirkuk, northern Iraq. | The attack comes a day after at least 16 people were killed in a raid on a police HQ in Kirkuk, northern Iraq. |
'Pools of blood' | |
Monday's blast happened at about 11:00 local time (08:00 GMT), as the militiamen gathered to collect their pay. | Monday's blast happened at about 11:00 local time (08:00 GMT), as the militiamen gathered to collect their pay. |
The attacker is believed to have detonated his explosives belt among the crowd. | The attacker is believed to have detonated his explosives belt among the crowd. |
Army soldiers were also among the victims. | Army soldiers were also among the victims. |
"We got a call there had been a huge blast at the Sahwa headquarters," local police officer Furat Faleh told Reuters news agency. | |
"People were lying bleeding all around and cash was scattered in pools of blood," he added. | |
No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. | |
The Sahwa - or Awakening Council - are comprised of Sunni tribal members who sided with the US against al-Qaeda in 2006. | The Sahwa - or Awakening Council - are comprised of Sunni tribal members who sided with the US against al-Qaeda in 2006. |
They have been often targeted by al-Qaeda-linked militants, who regard them as traitors. | They have been often targeted by al-Qaeda-linked militants, who regard them as traitors. |