Iraq, October, 16th 2016 : A suicide bombing targeting a funeral gathering in northern Baghdad Saturday killed at least 35 people and left another 63 wounded, Iraqi police and hospital officials said.<\/p>\n
The attack in the Shaab neighborhood occurred at around lunchtime, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media.<\/p>\n
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement carried by the IS-linked Aamaq news agency. The claim could not be independently verified, but it was carried by a news organization affiliated with the IS group.<\/p>\n
The attack comes as Iraqi security forces are preparing for an operation to retake the militant-held northern city of Mosul, the country’s second largest city, from the IS group.<\/p>\n
In the past the extremists have increased insurgent attacks inside government-held territory far from the front lines after suffering territorial losses on the battlefield.<\/p>\n
Iraq has seen several bombings in recent months, though most have had lower death tolls than Saturday’s attack. In July, a massive car bomb in central Baghdad’s popular shopping district of Karradah killed about 300 people and forced the resignation of the country’s interior minister.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"