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Iraq unrest: Deadly blast at Baquba political rally Iraq unrest: Deadly blast at Baquba political rally
(about 1 hour later)
At least 22 people have been killed and dozens wounded by a bomb and grenade attack on a rally in eastern Iraq. A suicide bomb and grenade attack has killed at least 22 people and injured about 50 at a political rally in the eastern Iraqi city of Baquba.
Officials said the attacker struck as Sunni candidate Muthana al-Jourani was meeting supporters in Baquba, 60km (35 miles) north-east of Baghdad. A grenade was thrown into the crowd gathered inside a large tent and, seconds later, a suicide bomber blew himself up in the same tent.
Violence has decreased in Iraq since the peak of the insurgency in 2006 and 2007, but bombings are still common. In recent weeks more than 11 candidates standing in this month's local elections have been shot dead.
The country is braced for an increase in attacks ahead of provincial elections on 20 April. Polls in two provinces have been postponed for security concerns.
The elections will be the first in Iraq since 2010. But the attacks have not stopped, and they have affected candidates in other provinces as well, the BBC's Rami Ruhayem reports from Baghdad.
Opposition figures have accused the government of delaying the elections out of fear that anti-government candidates will sweep to victory, our reporter says.
Election vow
Sunni candidate Muthana al-Jourani was meeting supporters in Baquba, a city 60km (35 miles) north-east of Baghdad.
He was unhurt but his supporters were among the dead and injured.
Ahmad al-Hadlouj, 34, was injured in the attack.
He was quoted as saying by AP news agency that hundreds of people had gathered in a side street for the rally. His father, a member of the candidate's political bloc, was also wounded.
"This is our blood [shed] for the people," he said. "We will still participate in elections."
Baquba is the capital of Diyala province, which has been among the most violent in Iraq.Baquba is the capital of Diyala province, which has been among the most violent in Iraq.
Police and hospital workers said the attack began when a grenade was thrown into the meeting. A suicide bomber then blew himself up. No group said immediately that it had carried out the attack but such incidents are usually blamed on al-Qaeda.
At least 50 people were injured. It was unclear whether the candidate himself was hurt. Violence has decreased in Iraq since the peak of the insurgency in 2006 and 2007 but bombings are still common.
No group immediately claimed to have carried out the attack, but such incidents are usually blamed on al-Qaeda. The provincial elections on 20 April will be the first in Iraq since 2010.