Iraq suicide bomber kills at least 25

A suicide bomber struck Shiite pilgrims today on a main road south of Baghdad, killing at least 25 people and wounding 20, police said.

The blast occurred about 3pm in Iskandariyah, police said. The pilgrims were marching south toward Karbala to commemorate Arbaeen, the 40th day following the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, one of two major Shiite figures buried in the holy city.

It was the second attack against Shiite pilgrims.

Earlier today, pilgrims were attacked by grenades and small-arms fire in the predominantly Sunni Baghdad neighbourhood of Dora, leaving at least three people dead and 36 wounded, police said.

Iskandariyah, 30 miles south of the capital, was one of the main cities in an area dubbed the triangle of death for much of the war.

It has seen a recent decline in violence however that the US military has said is due to a Sunni movement against al-Qaida in Iraq, as well as an influx of American troops.