Suicide bomber kills at least 20 people at Iraqi funeral
Friday, 04 Apr 2008 19:39
Iraqi prime minister Nouri Maliki has called for an end to violence in the country
A suicide bomber has detonated his explosive-filled vest in a crowd of people attending a funeral in the Iraqi province of Diyala.
Chief of security operations in Diyala, Major General Abdul Karim al-Rubaiye, said that at least 20 people had been killed in the blast today.
The attack took place during the funeral of a local policeman in the town of Al-Sadiyah, 37 miles from Baquba.
"At least 20 people were killed and many injured," Major General Rubaiye told the AFP news agency.
Another 20 other people are believed to have been injured in the suicide bombing.
Iraqi prime minister Nouri Maliki also today ordered a halt to operations against "people who carry weapons".
The comments are believed to mean that Mr Maliki has ordered Iraqi forces to stop pursuing Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's Mehdi Army.
Fierce clashes broke out last month between the militiamen and Iraq forces, leaving hundreds dead, after a government clampdown in Basra and other southern Iraqi cities.
The violence has eased recently and on Sunday Mr al-Sadr ordered his Mehdi Army fighters to step down.