15 killed in anti-Shiite suicide blast in Iraq

A suicide bomber on Monday detonated an explosive belt at a Shiite gathering in Baquba, north of Baghdad, killing 15 people and wounding 40, security and medical officials said. The bomber targeted a Shiite mourning gathering at about 6:15 pm (1515 GMT) in central Baquba, a police colonel said. Doctor Ahmed Ibrahim at Baquba General Hospital confirmed that the hospital had received 15 bodies and 40 wounded people. Police and army cordoned off the area, preventing people from approaching the scene, an AFP journalist said. The attack comes just two days after 32 people were killed by two car bombs targeting Shiite pilgrims in Baghdad, on the peak day of commemorations marking the death of a revered Shiite imam in 799. Violence in Iraq has declined dramatically since its peak in 2006-2007, but attacks remain common, especially in the capital. A total of 132 Iraqis were killed in violence in May, according to official figures.