Bombing in Sunni mosque in Iraq kills 28

Qassim Abdul-Zahra | Associated Press

BAGHDAD (AP) — A bomb struck a Sunni mosque during Friday prayers north of Baghdad, killing 28 people in the latest eruption of violence to rock the country, officials said.

The bombing hit the village of Umm al-Adham on the outskirts of Baqouba, a former militant stronghold 60 kilometers (35 miles) northeast of the Iraqi capital, according to police officials.

At least 41 people were wounded in the attack, said police and health officials who provided details on the casualties. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

Iraq is weathering it deadliest bout of violence in half a decade, raising fears the country is returning to the widespread killing that pushed it to the brink of civil war following the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.

The months-long surge of bloodshed is taking place against the backdrop of rising tensions between Iraq's Sunni and Shiite Muslims. The tensions are being inflamed in part by the sectarian divisions reflected in the civil war in neighboring Syria.

Members of Iraq's Sunni Arab minority have been protesting against the Shiite-led government since December, angered over what they see as second-class treatment of their sect and what they see as unfair application of tough anti-terrorism measures. Attacks surged after a deadly crackdown on a Sunni protest camp by security forces in April.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Friday's attack.

Al-Qaeda's local branch, known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and other Sunni extremists have tried to harness the anger of many Sunnis, even as more moderate members of the sect appeal for calm.

Al-Qaeda has claimed responsibility for a number of large-scale bombings in recent months and is believed to be behind other coordinated attacks. It frequently targets Shiite civilians, members of the security forces and those seen to be closely tied to the country's Shiite-led government.

There has also been a spike in attacks on Sunni mosques in recent months. While it is possible that Sunni extremists could be to blame, Shiite militias that had been largely quiet for years may also be behind those assaults.

More than 4,000 people have been killed in violent attacks since the start of April, including 804 just in August, according to United Nations figures.

Baqouba itself was hit with deadly violence just this week. Three car bombs targeting outdoor markets killed at least 10 civilians and wounded more than 30 there Tuesday.