At least 35 civilians were killed and more than 60 injured in a suicide bombing on Saturday in northern Baghdad, Iraq. The blast targeted a Shi'ite gathering inside a tent, which was set up in the crowded market area of al-Shaab. Pilgrims had gathered for rituals to mourn the killing of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Hussein in the 7th century, Reuters reported.
The Islamic State group claimed the attack in an online statement published through messaging app Telegram, according to BBC. The incident took place as government forces gear up to take over Mosul in northern Iraq, the last major city where the Islamic State group has a stronghold.
Earlier in the day, the Sunni terror outfit carried out two attacks north of the Iraqi capital – one at a police check point and the other on the house of a Sunni militia leader who supports the government, according to the police. The strike at the check point in Mutaibija left eight policemen and three militants dead and 11 others injured, Reuters reported.
In the second attack, the wife and three children of Ishaqi Mobilization militia leader Numan al-Mujamaie were killed after assailants stormed his house in his absence. The militants later killed themselves by detonating their explosive-laden vests after they were chased down by security forces.
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