Three suicide attacks leave at least 27 dead

A trio of suicide attacks has killed at least 27 people and injured dozens in Baghdad, officials said.

The first two suicide attacks during Friday prayers outside Shiite mosques in Baghdad killed more than a dozen people and injured dozens, officials said.

Casualty figures for the two attacks were conflicting.

The first blast was near the al-Khadimain mosque in the capital’s southern Dora district and killed 30, said Iraqi National Guard Lieutenant Ahmad Ali. Police put the death toll at half that figure.

The mosque’s imam was making appeals for blood donations.

A second blast took place outside the Al Qura mosque in a predominantly Shiite neighbourhood of western Baghdad, said local police chief Lieutenant Colonel Jalal Sabry.

“I saw this terrorist and I saw him as he was heading toward the mosque. He was trying to get two grenades from his pocket. At that time I opened fire on him and immediately he exploded,” said Amer Mayah, 24, one of the mosque’s security guards.

The injured from the Al Qura mosque were taken to Baghdad’s al Yarmuk hospital, where a doctor said at least one person was killed and four were injured.

Dr Ahmed Zaher said 14 dead and 42 injured were brought to the hospital from the first blast. He added that cars and pick-up trucks were still bringing in injured people.

Shocked relatives were rushing through the hospital looking for relatives.

Police Captain Falah al-Mahdawi said 15 people were killed and 20 were injured in the first blast. His station is located near the mosque.

The first explosion, Lt Ahmad said, was also the work of a suicide bomber wearing a vest packed with explosives.

“As we went inside there were some guys searching people and as I walked in I heard a huge explosion behind me, then I discovered that someone detonated himself,” said Ali al Aboudi, 37 , who broke an arm and a leg.

Both blasts came just as prayers were finishing and the faithful were preparing to observe Ashoura tomorrow.

Police said two people were killed and five were injured when a third suicide bomber blew himself up near an Ashoura procession in the Shiite Ash Shulah district north-west of the city centre.

Shiites are marking the Islamic holy month of Muharram and Ashoura is the holiest day of the year for them.

During Ashoura last year twin blasts ripped through crowds of worshippers at Shiite Muslim shrines in Baghdad and Karbala, killing at least 181 people.

Today’s deadly explosions came as Iraq partially sealed its land borders as part of stepped up security on the eve of Ashoura.