Baghdad: At least 19 people were killed and many others wounded after a car bomb targeted Shiite pilgrims and the shooting of a lawyer and his family in Iraq, after Al-Qaeda’s new leader warned new attacks targeting lawyers and retaking territory.
The attacks were the latest in an apparent spike in unrest since the beginning of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, bringing to 88 the number of people killed so far this month.
In the deadliest incident on Wednesday, a vehicle packed with explosives ripped through a group of Shiite worshippers during a commemoration ceremony in Al-Tanmiyah village, around 50 kilometres southeast of Baghdad.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a police lieutenant colonel and a medic said that the attack killed 11 people and wounded 20 others. Most of the victims were men, the officials said.
It also sparked a large fire in a nearby market and damaged adjacent houses.
The gathering had been to mark the day Imam Ali, a central figure in Shiite Islam and the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Mohammed, was wounded, days before his eventual death in 661 AD.
Earlier on Wednesday, gunmen shot dead a lawyer, his judicial investigator son and six of their family members in a town north of Baghdad.
The shooting took place at the home of Khayrallah Shati, a lawyer in the town of Baiji, 200 kilometres north of the capital, killing him, his wife, five sons and another relative who was staying with them.
“Khayrallah Shati, his wife and five sons, and a family guest staying with them, were killed early this morning in Baiji,” a police officer said on condition of anonymity.
“Gunmen raided his house and opened fire on the family…. Initial reports are that this is a terrorist attack, but the investigation is still ongoing.”
The officer said one of Shati’s sons was a judicial investigator.
An earlier message posted on various jihadist forums said the ISI would begin targeting judges and prosecutors, and try to help its prisoners break out of jails.
While violence has decreased from its peak in 2006 and 2007, attacks remain common across Iraq. There were attacks on 27 of the 31 days in July.
Official figures put the number of people killed in attacks in July at 325, the highest monthly death toll since August 2010.
Dear TNT Reader,
At The News Tribe, our mission is to bring you free, independent, and unbiased news and content that keeps you informed and empowered. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism, as we understand that we are a platform for truth.
Apart from independent global news coverage, we also commit our unique focus on the Muslim world. In an age marked by the troubling rise of Islamophobia and widespread misrepresentation of Muslims in Western media, we strive to provide accurate and fair coverage.
But to continue doing so, we need your support. Even a small donation of 1$ can make a big difference. Your contribution will help us maintain the quality of our news and counteract the negative narratives that are so prevalent.
Please consider donating today to ensure we can keep delivering the news that matters. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world, and work towards a more inclusive, informed global society.
Donate Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription