IRAQ: Two bombs concealed in air conditioning units explode inside a Sunni mosque south of Samarra killing at least 15 people and wounding 17

Record ID: 353935

  • Title: IRAQ: Two bombs concealed in air conditioning units explode inside a Sunni mosque south of Samarra killing at least 15 people and wounding 17
  • Date: 20th September 2013
  • Summary: AL-MAFRAQ, IRAQ (SEPTEMBER 20, 2013) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS FOR AGENCY POOL) WIDE OF BLAST SCENE / WIDE OF MOSQUE HIT BY BLAST AND POLICE HUMVEES OUTSIDE EXTERIOR OF MOSQUE HAND-WRITTEN SIGN ON WALL OUTSIDE MOSQUE, READING: "MUSSAB BIN OMEER MOSQUE" BLACKENED WINDOW OF MOSQUE WHERE ONE BOMB EXPLODED VARIOUS OF CLOSE UP OF BLACKENED WINDOW VARIOUS OF SLIPPERS ON GRO
  • Embargoed: 5th October 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Iraq
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: Crime,General
  • Reuters ID: LVAAGZQYQNK19M0FRCH1CEX9UOX1
  • Story Text: Two bombs concealed in air conditioning units inside a Sunni mosque south of the Iraqi city of Samarra exploded during Friday (September 20) prayers, killing at least 15 people, police and hospital sources said.
    It was not clear who was behind the attack, which took place in al-Mafraq, around 10 km (6 miles) south of Samarra.
    At least 17 people were wounded, the sources said.
    Iraq's delicate sectarian balance has come under growing strain from the civil war in neighbouring Syria, where mainly Sunni rebels are fighting to overthrow a leader backed by Shi'ite Iran.
    Both Sunnis and Shi'ites have crossed into Syria from Iraq to fight on opposite sides of the conflict.
    Al Qaeda's Syrian and Iraqi branches merged earlier this year to form the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, which has claimed responsibility for attacks on both sides of the border.
    Iraq has also witnessed several incidents in recent weeks suggesting that Shi'ite militias, which have so far refrained from retaliating to attacks by Sunni insurgents, may once again be resorting to violence.
    Around 800 Iraqis were killed in acts of violence in August, according to the United Nations.
    Intensifying violence has raised concerns of a return to wider conflict in a country where Shi'ite Muslims, Sunnis and ethnic Kurds have yet to find a stable way of sharing power.
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