Suicide bomb in Iraq kills forty pilgrims

A suicide bomber has killed 35 people and wounded at least 79 at a Shi'ite shrine in Baghdad, Iraqi officials have said. The bomber struck a checkpoint outside the Imam Moussa al-Kadhim shrine in Kadhimiya as Shi'ites prepared for the Ashura holiday to mourn the death of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammad. Many of the casualties were pilgrims from Iran, security spokesman Major-General Qassim Moussawi said. Mr Moussawi had earlier said the bomber was female but later said an investigation of the scene concluded it was a man. He said 35 people were killed and 79 wounded. Other Iraqi security sources gave slightly higher casualty figures. Eyewitness Said Qassim said: "There were bodies everywhere, some of them missing legs and arms. This is a disaster." He added: "I can't understand how. No one can get in here without going through seven checkpoints." A Shi'ite cleric called on Iraqi security forces to be "more awake" and for the planners of the bombing to be punished. Mohammed Taqi al-Mudarisi said: "The Iraqi people will not bow down to such crimes. We'll teach those people who did this unforgettable lessons." Vice President Adel Abdul Mahdi blamed al Qaeda-linked groups, calling them "terrorist gangs". "Al Qaeda have no place in Iraq. Their dark hatred against Iraqi people will only increase their solidarity and resolve to defeat terrorists, criminals and killers," he said.

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ITN | January 4, 2009

Tags:. .majorgeneral. .moussa. .ashura. .solidarity. .checkpoints