28 killed and 60 injured by suicide bomber south of Baghdad

A suicide car bomber struck a checkpoint manned by Iraqi troops and pro-government Shi’ite militiamen south of Baghdad on Monday, killing at least 28 people and wounding another 60. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred on the outskirts of the Sunni town of Jurf al-Sakhar, 50 kilometres south of Baghdad, but the bombing bore all the hallmarks of Islamic State militants (IS). IS militants lost control of the town the previous day, when Iraqi soldiers and Shi’ite militia retook Jurf al-Sakhar from the Sunni extremist group who had captured it in July.

The bomber rammed his explosives-laden car into the checkpoint.

Anonymous medical officer at the scene

Jurf al-Sakhar is part of a predominantly Sunni ribbon of territory that runs just south of Baghdad and lies on a road usually taken by Shi’ite pilgrims when they head in droves to the holy Shiite city of Karbala further to the south. Pilgrims will be taking the route again next week in order to commemorate the death of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Hussein — one of the most revered Shi’ite martyrs.

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