Wave of suicide bombs kill 29 in Iraq

Militants have unleashed a wave of suicide attacks across Iraq — killing at least 29 people and wounding dozens, officials said.

The deadliest attack took place in the southern province of Dhi Qar (also known as Nasiriyah), when a suicide bomber blew himself up inside a restaurant that is frequented by Shi’ite paramilitary militia fighters, killing at least 14 people.

Another 27 people were wounded in the attack on the well-known restaurant, which is located on the main highway that links the capital, Baghdad, with the southern provinces, a police officer said.

Dhi Qar is located about 300km south-east of Baghdad At around the same time, a suicide car bomber set off his explosives-laden vehicle in a commercial area in the oil-rich city of Basra, killing at least five people and wounding 10 others, another police officer said.

Earlier in the day, a suicide bomber rammed his car into a security checkpoint in the capital’s north-eastern suburb of Sadr al-Qanat, killing six troops and wounding 13 others.

Another suicide car bomber hit a headquarters of paramilitary troops in the town of Mishahda, 35km north of Baghdad — killing four troops and wounding 10.

The Iraqi army, along with pro-government militias, launched an offensive last month aimed at retaking Mosul, the country’s second largest city, which is under Islamic State control.