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Explosions at Iraq election rally in Baghdad 'kill 31' Explosions at Iraq election rally in Baghdad 'kill 31'
(about 1 hour later)
At least 31 people have been killed in Iraq as a series of blasts targeted a Shia election rally in Baghdad.At least 31 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 rally for the Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq party.
The attack comes less than a week before Iraqis are due to head to the polls in parliamentary elections. The attack - claimed by al-Qaeda-linked militants - comes less than a week 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.
A statement attributed to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (also known as ISIL) has claimed the group was behind the attack, but the report has not yet been verified. The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant - an al-Qaeda offshoot also known as ISIL - said it had carried out Friday's attack.
Three bombs exploded as people left the rally, says the BBC's Nahed Abouzeid in Baghdad.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.The first two blasts were caused by truck bombs and the third by a roadside bomb.
Desperate actDesperate act
Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq is backed by Iran and is a public supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.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.This is likely to have antagonised Sunni groups in both countries, our correspondent says.
Senior Ahl al-Haq official, Wahab al-Taie, said after the attack: "This is a desperate act that will not stop us from moving on and challenging. They wanted to send us a message and they did, but that will not deter us." Senior Ahl al-Haq official Wahab al-Taie said after the attack: "This is a desperate act that will not stop us from moving on and challenging. They wanted to send us a message and they did, but that will not deter us."
The rally had been addressed by cleric Sheik Qais al-Khazali, who told the crowd: "We are ready and prepared to defend this nation. Let it be known that Asaib will be the remedy."The rally had been addressed by cleric Sheik Qais al-Khazali, who told the crowd: "We are ready and prepared to defend this nation. Let it be known that Asaib will be the remedy."
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 nearby 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 nearby Fallujah.