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Iraq bomb: Many dead in Shia mosque in Tuz Khurmato | Iraq bomb: Many dead in Shia mosque in Tuz Khurmato |
(35 minutes later) | |
At least 23 people have been killed by a suicide bomber at a Shia mosque in the Iraqi village of Tuz Khurmato, with scores more wounded, police say. | At least 23 people have been killed by a suicide bomber at a Shia mosque in the Iraqi village of Tuz Khurmato, with scores more wounded, police say. |
The blast targeted worshippers attending a funeral at the mosque. | The blast targeted worshippers attending a funeral at the mosque. |
Although sectarian violence in Iraq has decreased since its height in 2006 and 2007, attacks on Shia are common, with many blamed on Sunni militants. | |
Tuz Khurmato lies 175km (110 miles) north of the capital, Baghdad, and is populated mainly by ethnic Turkmen. | Tuz Khurmato lies 175km (110 miles) north of the capital, Baghdad, and is populated mainly by ethnic Turkmen. |
The town is disputed between the government in Baghdad and ethnic Kurds, who inhabit a semi-autonomous region in the north and claim territory in four other nearby regions. | |
It was the scene of a shooting in November which left the two sides in an ongoing military standoff. | |
'Wrapped in carpets' | |
More than 75 people were injured in the bomb attack, medical officials said. | |
Initial reports put the death toll as high as 35. | Initial reports put the death toll as high as 35. |
"The suicide bomber managed to enter and blow himself up in the middle of the mourners," Shallal Abdul, mayor of Tuz Khurmato, told the AFP news agency. | |
Eyewitness Abbas Qadir Mohammed was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying: "I was sitting in the seats at the back when all of sudden I heard the sound of a huge explosion. | |
"Thank God I was behind because people in front of me saved me with their bodies." | |
The agency described survivors packing dead and injured people wrapped in carpets into lorries and cars to take them to hospital. | |
On Tuesday, at least 17 people were killed and dozens more wounded by a series of car bombings in and around Baghdad. | On Tuesday, at least 17 people were killed and dozens more wounded by a series of car bombings in and around Baghdad. |
The assassination of a senior Sunni lawmaker last week has further inflamed sectarian tension between Sunnis and Shia, correspondents say. | The assassination of a senior Sunni lawmaker last week has further inflamed sectarian tension between Sunnis and Shia, correspondents say. |
In recent weeks, thousands of Sunnis have been holding mass protests in western Iraq against what they believe is discriminatory treatment by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's Shia-dominated government. | In recent weeks, thousands of Sunnis have been holding mass protests in western Iraq against what they believe is discriminatory treatment by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's Shia-dominated government. |
The frequent bombings and the political crisis have stoked fears among Iraqis of a return to civil war. | The frequent bombings and the political crisis have stoked fears among Iraqis of a return to civil war. |