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Baghdad hit by suicide bombers after Friday prayers

Baghdad hit by suicide bombers after Friday prayers
MENA
1 min read
22 April, 2016
Iraqis attending Friday prayers at a Shia mosque have been targeted by suicide bombers, in what is believed to be another desperate attempt by IS to spread discord in Iraq.
Security is usually tight in the Iraqi capital, but bombings continue [AFP]

Two suicide bombers have targeted Iraqis at a Shia mosque following Friday prayers.

The attack took place in southwest Baghdad and killed at least nine people - security and medical officials said - while dozens more were wounded.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but the Islamic State group - and its predecessor al-Qaeda in Iraq - has carried out a wave of attacks on Shia mosques, neighbourhoods and processions.

In February, a twin bomb attack at a Shia mosque left at least 15 dead, while the group also targeted a Baghdad football match in March killing dozens, including many children.

Markets, checkpoints and public squares have also been hit by IS bombers.

Many see the up-turn in bombings by the jihadi group - which control huge swathes of northern and western Iraq - as a sign of weakness.

Kurdish and Iraqi government forces have both won back territory from the militants, while US-led air strikes have decimated much of the group's leadership.

Agencies contributed to this story.