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Iraq conflict: Diyala Sunni mosque attack kills dozens Iraq conflict: Diyala Sunni mosque attack kills dozens
(about 2 hours later)
At least 64 people have been killed in an attack on a Sunni mosque north-east of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. An attack by suspected Shia militiamen on a Sunni mosque in Iraq's Diyala province has killed at least 64 people.
Officials say a bomber blew himself up in the mosque during Friday prayers and gunmen fired on fleeing worshippers.Officials say a bomber blew himself up in the mosque during Friday prayers and gunmen fired on fleeing worshippers.
Some reports say Shia militias carried out the attack, but others blame Sunni jihadist group Islamic State (IS). The attack is seen as a blow to government efforts to secure backing from Sunni groups in its battle against Islamic State (IS) jihadists.
The area has seen heavy fighting between IS and Iraqi troops backed by Shia militiamen. The US has called IS the most dangerous threat it faces. Diyala province has seen heavy fighting in recent weeks between IS and Iraqi troops backed by Shia militiamen.
Friday's attack took place in a village mosque in Diyala province, south of Baquba, about 120km (75 miles) from Baghdad. Friday's attack took place in a village mosque south of the city of Baquba, about 120km (75 miles) from Baghdad.
One security official told AFP news agency that Shia fighters allied with the government had carried out the assault as a reprisal for a bombing that targeted their fighters. A security official told AFP news agency that Shia fighters allied with the government had carried out the assault as a reprisal for a bombing that targeted their fighters.
However another official quoted by AP news agency said IS had targeted local Sunnis whose leaders had refused to join them. Jim Muir, BBC News, Iraq
IS has seized large swathes of Iraq and Syria in recent months. Since 8 August the US has backed Iraqi and Kurdish troops tackling the insurgents by conducting air strikes. It's just the kind of sectarian provocation that is threatening to plunge the country back into the dark days of 2006 and 2007, when many thousands died in a vicious spiral of communal carnage.
It comes at a delicate moment, when the Shia Prime Minister designate, Haider al-Abadi, is trying to persuade the alienated Sunnis to take part in a broad, inclusive new government, hoping to turn them against the militants of the Islamic State.
Bringing the Sunnis on board is a key element in the American strategy for isolating the Islamic State militants, who have capitalised on Iraqi Sunni grievances.
But actions like the latest massacre in the mosque are not going to make that task any easier.
'Imminent threat'
IS has seized large swathes of Iraq and Syria in recent months.
Since 8 August the US has backed Iraqi and Kurdish troops tackling the insurgents by conducting air strikes.
On Thursday, US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel described the group as an imminent threat to the US.On Thursday, US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel described the group as an imminent threat to the US.
"They are beyond just a terrorist group," he said. "They marry ideology, a sophistication of strategic and tactical military prowess, they are tremendously well-funded. This is beyond anything that we have seen.""They are beyond just a terrorist group," he said. "They marry ideology, a sophistication of strategic and tactical military prowess, they are tremendously well-funded. This is beyond anything that we have seen."
Gen Dempsey, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said IS was "an organisation that has an apocalyptic, end-of-days strategic vision and which will eventually have to be defeated".Gen Dempsey, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said IS was "an organisation that has an apocalyptic, end-of-days strategic vision and which will eventually have to be defeated".
He also said that IS fighters could not be defeated without attacking their bases in Syria. The militants, he said, should be confronted "on both sides of what is essentially at this point a non-existent border".He also said that IS fighters could not be defeated without attacking their bases in Syria. The militants, he said, should be confronted "on both sides of what is essentially at this point a non-existent border".
The warnings came after IS beheaded US journalist James Foley.
Hunt for killerHunt for killer
Neither Mr Hagel nor Gen Dempsey announced a change in the limited military campaign adopted by Barack Obama, and the US president is unlikely to deepen his involvement in Iraq or Syria, the BBC's Barbara Plett Usher in Washington reports.Neither Mr Hagel nor Gen Dempsey announced a change in the limited military campaign adopted by Barack Obama, and the US president is unlikely to deepen his involvement in Iraq or Syria, the BBC's Barbara Plett Usher in Washington reports.
But US officials did not rule out additional action against IS in Iraq or Syria, our correspondent adds.But US officials did not rule out additional action against IS in Iraq or Syria, our correspondent adds.
The warnings came after IS beheaded US journalist James Foley.
It has emerged that a special US military mission tried but failed earlier this summer to rescue Mr Foley and other US hostages held in Syria.
Meanwhile Britain has said it will not work with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the battle against IS, despite suggestions from a retired top general that it should do so.Meanwhile Britain has said it will not work with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the battle against IS, despite suggestions from a retired top general that it should do so.
UK police and security services are trying to identify the jihadist who appeared in footage of Mr Foley's killing. Unconfirmed reports suggest the man - who had an English accent - is from London or south-east England.UK police and security services are trying to identify the jihadist who appeared in footage of Mr Foley's killing. Unconfirmed reports suggest the man - who had an English accent - is from London or south-east England.
In the video of Mr Foley's murder, IS militants threatened to kill another American if the US did not stop its air strikes against the group in northern Iraq.In the video of Mr Foley's murder, IS militants threatened to kill another American if the US did not stop its air strikes against the group in northern Iraq.
Who are Islamic State (IS)?Who are Islamic State (IS)?
IS presence in Iraq and SyriaIS presence in Iraq and Syria
Are you in Syria or the wider region? Do you have family or friends there? If you have any information you wish to share with BBC News, you can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukAre you in Syria or the wider region? Do you have family or friends there? If you have any information you wish to share with BBC News, you can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk