Iraq

Suicide bomber kills 35 at Baghdad shrine

Article published on the 2009-01-04 Latest update 2009-01-05 09:57 TU

Residents outside the morgue, waiting to claim the bodies of relatives killed on 27 December
(Photo: Reuters)

A woman wearing an explosive belt blew herself up during a religious procession near the Kadhimiyah shrine in northern Baghdad Sunday, killing 35 people and wounding 65 others, government officials said, adding that most of the dead were Iranian pilgrims and women and children.

A defence official said that the attack occurred as Shiite Muslim pilgrims took part in a procession related to the Ashura ceremonies that end on 7 January.

The rites take place to mourn the killing of Imam Hussein in the year 680. He was killed by Sunni caliph Yazid. Every year during this time, pilgrims flock to shrines throughout Iraq to commemorate the event. 

This attack comes two days after a male suicide bomber killed at least 23 and wounded 72 at a tribal meeting just south of Baghdad on Friday.

The latest attack raises concern that Iraqi forces may not be able to maintain calm. The United States handed back part of its security duties to Iraq on 1 January, as mandated by the United Nations.

In 2008 a total of 6,772 Iraqis were killed, down from 17,430 in 2007.