News / Iraq

Bombing at funeral of Iraqi fighters kills 16 people

Thursday, 12 April 2018 6:13 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 12 April 2018 6:20 PM ]

Iraqi security forces gather at the scene of a double bombing in Baghdad, Iraq, January 15, 2018. (Photo by AP)

At least 16 people have lost their lives in a bomb attack during a funeral procession for Iraqi fighters, who were killed by the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group, in the north-central province of Salahuddin.

Salaheddin Shaalan, mayor of Asdira village near the Iraqi town of Shirqat, told AFP that the bombing took place in the village on Thursday.

He noted that most of the 14 people wounded in the attack were in "critical condition."

Shirqat's leader Ali Dowdah said the funeral was held for three Iraqi fighters who had been killed on Wednesday.

Thursday's casualties, he said, came after explosive devices, which had been planted at the grave site by Takfiri militants, went off.

Daesh unleashed a campaign of death and destruction in Iraq in 2014, overrunning vast swathes in lightning attacks. Iraqi army soldiers and allied fighters then launched operations to eliminate the terrorist group and retake lost territory.

Last December, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared the end of the anti-Daesh campaign in the Arab country. The group’s remnants, though, keep staging sporadic attacks across Iraq.

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