Eight killed in suicide bombing
Iraqi police confirm at least eight people killed in suicide bombing at mosque north of Baghdad.
Thursday, 17, Jan 2008 06:32
At least eight people have been killed at a mosque north of Baghdad after a suicide attacker targeted Shia worshippers, according to Iraqi police.
The blast occurred as worshippers were leaving a mosque on the outskirts of Baquba, around 65km (40 miles) to the north of Baghdad.
The attack follows a separate incident yesterday in which at least 11 people were killed when a female suicide bomber attacked a Shia mosque in the same Divalan province.
Today's violence came during the Ashura festival, which commemorates the killing of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, who rose up against oppression in 680AD.
According to police Lieutenant-Colonel Najim al-Soumaidaie, today's blast was set off as Shia worshippers were about to begin a ceremonial procession outside the mosque.
"The suicide bomber detonated his explosives as people were leaving the mosque," he told the AFP news agency. "At least eight people were killed and we have 15 wounded."
Vehicle curfews are set to be imposed across Iraq as authorities look to guard against terrorist attacks against Ashura ceremonies, which culminate this Saturday.
A minority Shia community marking Ashura in the Pakistani city of Peshawar was also hit by a suicide attack today, with at least ten people killed and 20 injured, according to local officials.