Dozens killed in suicide attack on mourners in Iraq's capital Baghdad

A suicide bomber walked into a funeral party and detonated explosives, killing at least 35 people, including women and children, according to officials in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. The lunchtime attack in the Shaab neighbourhood on 15 October, wounded at least 60 more.

Local businessman, Hussein Khazem, told the Associated Press, that the security situation was "not good at all", adding: "These big incidents are happening again, especially in the poorer residential neighbourhoods."

The large explosion took place in a tent in the crowded market area on Saturday, according to local media reports.

The Islamic State (Isis) said in a statement, published through the messaging service Telegram, that the attack was carried out "in the middle of a gathering" in the Shaab area of Baghdad. It was unclear whether they were claiming responsibility for the attack.

It coincides with mourning rituals attended by Shia Pilgrims to commemorate the killing of Prophet Mohammed's grandson in the 7<sup>th century IS (Daesh) and follows a Sunni doctrine of Islam which is opposed to the Shia dictates. Attacks of this nature on pilgrimages are not uncommon.

Similar incidents in Baghdad have seen something of a resurgence in recent times, with an increase in bombings this year.

Elsewhere in Iraq, Reuters reported shootouts on Saturday claiming the lives of many more. An attack in Mutaibija apparently killed eight policemen as well as 11 civilians. The wife and three children of Numan al-Majamaie, a government supporting Sunni-militia chief, were killed in a separate attack on his house in Ishaq.

The attacks come as Iraqi security forces are preparing an attack against IS (Daesh) in Mosul, a city currently held by the terrorist organisation. Mosul is the second-largest city in Iraq and would represent a significant gain for the Iraqi forces if retaken after two years under IS control.

Head of the Nineveh operations command, Major General Najim al-Jobori said the 30,000-strong troops were waiting for the go-ahead from Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.

Al-Jobori said: "I think Isis knows this is the end of Isis in Iraq."