Suicide bomber kills 11 Shia pilgrims in Baghdad

Officials in Iraq say an attack by a suicide bomber in Baghdad has killed 11 Shiite pilgrims who were on their way to a holy city.

Police officials say the suicide bomber set off his explosive belt on Thursday afternoon near a group of pilgrims in Baghdad’s southern district of Dora. They say 22 people were wounded in the attack.

The pilgrims were heading to the holy Shia city of Karbala, 90 km to the south. Shia pilgrims are commemorating Arbaeen, the end of 40 days of mourning following the anniversary of the death of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Hussein, a revered Shia figure.

Medical officials confirmed the casualty figures. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk to journalists.