Bomber targets Shiites; 7 killed in Iraq

BAGHDAD — A suicide bomber in Iraq killed at least seven people who were setting up tents Sunday ahead of a Shiite religious observance next month, officials said.

The bomber struck as residents of Baghdad’s western Eskan neighborhood were preparing for Ashoura, a police officer said, adding that another 28 people were wounded. Ashoura commemorates the seventh-century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.

A medical official confirmed the toll. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release information.

The Islamic State extremist group claimed responsibility for the attack in an online statement, saying it targeted a gathering of Shiite militia members. The Islamic State and other Sunni extremists frequently target members of Iraq’s Shiite majority, whom they view as apostates deserving of death.