Iraqi Sunni Muslims exchange greetings after prayers at the 17th Ramadan mosque on the first day of Eid al-Adha in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013. Muslims worldwide are celebrating Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of the Sacrifice, by sacrificial killing of sheep, goats, cows or camels. The slaughter commemorates the biblical story of Abraham, who was on the verge of sacrificing his son to obey God's command, when God interceded by substituting a ram in the child's place.(AP Photo/Karim Kadim)
October 14, 2013 - 11:48 PM
BAGHDAD - An Iraqi official says a bomb planted near a Sunni mosque in northern Iraq has killed 12 worshippers after morning prayers on a major Muslim holiday.
Police Col. Taha Salaheddin says the attack took place in the oil-rich city of Kirkuk. The bomb went off as worshippers were leaving the al-Qodus mosque after prayers for the start of the Eid al-Adha holiday.
Salaheddin says Tuesday's bombing also wounded 24 people.
More than 5,000 people have been killed in Iraq since al-Qaida and other militants stepped up attacks following a deadly security crackdown against a Sunni protest camp in April.
The latest attack came despite tight security measures imposed by security forces to prevent attacks during the four-day Eid al-Adha celebrations.
News from © The Associated Press, 2013