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BAGHDAD /Â AP
A suicide bomber in Iraq killed at least seven people who were setting up tents on Sunday ahead of a major Shiite religious observance next month, officials said.
The bomber struck as residents of Baghdad’s western Eskan neighborhood were preparing for Ashoura, which commemorates the 7th century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, a police officer said, adding that another 28 people were wounded.
A medical official confirmed the toll. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release information.
The IS group claimed responsibility for the attack in an online statement, saying it targeted gathering of Shiite militia members.
Ashura annually draws hundreds of thousands of Shiite pilgrims to Iraq, particularly the city of Karbala, where Hussain is buried.
The attack came a day after IS extremists launched a triple suicide bombing that killed 11 Iraqi security forces and wounded 34 at a checkpoint north of Baghdad.