9 Shias killed in Iraq bombings

By Ibrahim Salih and Ahmed Qassim

BAGHDAD (AA) – At least nine Shias were killed in two separate attacks in Iraq on Saturday amid an ongoing operation to retake the northern city of Mosul from Daesh militants.

A suicide bomber detonated his explosive vest at a Shia gathering in western Baghdad, killing five people, police officer Hatem al-Jaberi told Anadolu Agency.

He said 15 other people were injured in the attack, expecting the death toll to rise.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the bombing.

Shias are taking part in mourning rituals commemorating the killing of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Hussein, in the 7th century.

Meanwhile, four Shia militiamen were killed in a suicide bombing south-west of Mosul in northern Iraq.

“The attack took place as members of the Hashd al-Shaabi militia were carrying out a sweeping operation in the village of Musheirifa,” army officer Faisal Yassin said.

The village was captured by Iraqi forces and allied militias from Daesh militants on Friday.

On Oct. 18, the Iraqi army -- backed by U.S.-led coalition airstrikes -- launched a much-anticipated operation to retake Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city, which Daesh overran in mid-2014.

While most villages on the city’s outskirts have since fallen, Daesh remains in control of Mosul, which is the last Daesh stronghold in northern Iraq.