Iraq: Bomb attack in mosque kills over 20

[News_Editor]

BAQUBA, IRAQ (BNO NEWS) -- A bomb attack targeted an Iraqi mosque killing over 20 people in the eastern region of the country, local authorities said Friday.

The incident took place at the Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq Sunni mosque in the Wajihiya area in the district of Muqdadiya, not far from Baquba, the provincial capital of Diyala.

According to reports, an explosive device detonated at around 12 p.m. local time as dozens of worshippers gathered at the mosque during Friday prayers.

Muqdadiya Mayor Zaid Ibrahim told the National Iraqi News Agency that "targeting mosques and solace in Muqdadiyah district is but a part of regulated plan by internal and external parties to destabilize the security in Muqdadiyah and create discord among the components of the society within the city."

Initial death tolls were place at twelve, with well over 50 others injured. However, later reports indicated that over 20 people and nearly 80 others were inured.

No group or terrorist organization claimed responsibility of the attack, but sectarian violence among Sunni and Shiite muslims in the region is not uncommon.

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