At least 23 people have been killed and nearly 70 injured in a double suicide bombing north of the capital Baghdad, Iraqi army sources say.
At least 23 people have been killed and nearly 70 injured in a double suicide bombing north of the capital Baghdad, Iraqi army sources say.
The bombers blew themselves up in a crowd of army recruits near Baquba, some 60km (35 miles) from Baghdad.
The bombers blew themselves up in a crowd of army recruits near Baquba, some 60km (35 miles) from Baghdad.
Baquba is the capital of Diyala province - one of the most dangerous parts of Iraq.
Baquba is the capital of Diyala province - one of the most dangerous parts of Iraq.
Violence in Iraq is at its lowest level since 2004, but frequent attacks continue throughout the country.
Violence in Iraq is at its lowest level since 2004, but frequent attacks continue throughout the country.
The Iraqi army sources said the bombers mingled with the crowds of young recruits at the al-Saad centre early in the morning before blowing themselves up simultaneously.
Offensive planned
The bomb attacks at the al-Saad army camp took place at about 0800 (0500 GMT), officials said.
They [the army] had just called our names when suddenly there was a big explosion Falah Ali HusseinIraqi army recruit
The Iraqi army sources said the bombers mingled with the crowds of young recruits before blowing themselves up simultaneously.
One of the attackers was dressed in an Iraqi military uniform, while the other wore civilian clothes, reports say.
"We were about 30 people standing at the entrance," 17-year-old Falah Ali Hussein, who was injured in the blasts, was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.
"They had just called our names when suddenly there was a big explosion," he added.
There are fears that the death toll will rise further.
There are fears that the death toll will rise further.
The US military also confirmed the attack, saying that 16 people were killed and 30 others injured.
Thousands of army recruits have been killed by insurgents in similar attacks across Iraq in recent years.
Thousands of army recruits have been killed by insurgents in similar attacks across Iraq in recent years.
Despite this, many young men are still willing to join the army - one of the few sources of employment in Iraq, correspondents say.
Despite this, many young men are still willing to join the army - one of the few sources of employment in Iraq, correspondents say.
Al-Qaeda fighters have sought to regroup in the region after being pushed by the Iraqi and US forces from former strongholds further south.
Iraqi military officials have recently said they plan to launch an offensive in the region to rein in remaining militants.
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