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Explosions at Iraq election rally in Baghdad 'kill 25' | |
(35 minutes later) | |
At least 25 people have been killed in Iraq as a series of blasts targeted a Shia election rally in Baghdad. | |
Several people were seriously injured in the attack, which took place at a campaign rally for the Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq party. | Several people were seriously injured in the attack, which took place at a campaign rally for the Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq party. |
The attack comes less than a weeks before Iraqis are due to head to the polls in parliamentary elections. | The attack comes less than a weeks before Iraqis are due to head to the polls in parliamentary elections. |
Iraq has been enduring the worst unrest since it pulled back from the brink of civil war in 2008. | Iraq has been enduring the worst unrest since it pulled back from the brink of civil war in 2008. |
Three bombs exploded as people left the rally, says the BBC's Nahed Abouzeid in Baghdad. | |
The first two blasts were caused by truck bombs and the third by a roadside bomb. | |
Iranian backed group | |
Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq is backed by Iran and is a public supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. | |
This is likely to have antagonised Sunni groups in both countries, our correspondent says. | |
Next Wednesday's election will be the first since the US pulled out combat troops in 2011. | Next Wednesday's election will be the first since the US pulled out combat troops in 2011. |
More than 9,000 candidates will compete for 328 parliamentary seats, but there will be no voting in parts of Sunni-dominated Anbar province, where security forces still battle Islamist and tribal militants for control of the provincial capital Ramadi and nearly Fallujah. | More than 9,000 candidates will compete for 328 parliamentary seats, but there will be no voting in parts of Sunni-dominated Anbar province, where security forces still battle Islamist and tribal militants for control of the provincial capital Ramadi and nearly Fallujah. |