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18 killed in attack on Shiite political rally in Iraq

World News

25-04-2014 | 11:15

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18 killed in attack on Shiite political rally in Iraq

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A series of explosions killed 18 people at a Shi'ite political party's rally in Iraq on Friday, police and medical sources said.

The explosions struck as some 10,000 people had gathered at the Industrial Stadium in eastern Baghdad for the Asaib Ahl al-Haq rally, in which the Shiite group planned to announce its candidates for Iraq's parliamentary election Wednesday.

An Associated Press reporter at the rally heard intense gunfire follow the blasts. Attendees fled to a nearby building under construction as female parliamentary candidates screamed.

Police and medical officials say the blasts killed at least eighteen people and wounded 21. They said several of the wounded were in critical condition. They spoke on condition of anonymity as they weren't authorized to release the information.

Followers of Asaib Ahl al-Haq carried out deadly attacks against US troops before their withdrawal from Iraq in 2011 and claimed responsibility for the 2007 kidnapping of a British contractor along with his four guards. The group is backed by Iran and says it is sending fighters to Syria.

Its leader, Sheik Qais al-Khazali, spent years in US detention but was released after he was handed over to the Iraqi government. At the rally Friday, he gave a brief address that challenged the Sunni militants holding two cities in Anbar province.

More than 9,000 candidates are taking part in Wednesday's elections and will vie for 328 seats in parliament.

AP/REUTERS

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