IS double bomb attack on wedding in Iraq, 26 people killed

Two Islamic State militants on March 8 detonated a bomb at a wedding in the Iraqi city of Tikrit, killing 26 people and injuring at least 25.

Iraqi special forces hunt down IS militants

The wedding was attacked by two Islamic State (IS) suicide bombers in the village of Hajaj, near the Iraqi city of Tikrit, where many militias are involved in the campaign against the militants, the BBC reported today.

The first detonated a vest bomb in the middle of a dancing crowd, while the second targeted rescue workers. A total of 26 people were killed and at least 25 injured, including many children, a local government spokesman said.

The wedding brought together members of a clan that had fled Iraq’s western Anbar province, some of whom had allied with anti-IS tribes back home.

IS was pushed out of Tikrit in mid-2015, but the group continues to carry out attacks in and around the city.

Hajaj village, where the suicide bombing took place. Graphics: BBC

The attack comes as government forces intensify their campaign to retake Mosul, the largest IS stronghold in Iraq. The advance by anti-IS forces has slowed significantly since the battle spread to the densely populated western part of Mosul.

According to VNE