IS claims blasts targeting Shiites in Iraq

BAQUBA: The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a bomb attack on a Shiite mosque in eastern Iraq Friday that officials said killed 22 people including a senior cop.
Among the dead were the leader of the town’s police commandos, Col. Adnan Mohammed Al-Timimi, and two policemen, the official added.
Balad Ruz is located about 70 km northeast of Baghdad.
A third suicide bomber drove his car into worshippers as they were leaving the Imam Hussein Shiite mosque in the town of Kanaan, about 75 km from the capital, the police officer added. Four people were killed and at least 18 wounded.
Fifteen people were also wounded in the attack on Al-Zahraa mosque in Baladruz, a district in Diyala province 75 km northeast of Baghdad, the interior ministry said.
There were conflicting reports on the nature of the attack.
IS, in an online claim posted on radical websites, said a suicide bomber in a car carried out the attack.“Brother Abu Jihad Al-Ansari... drove his booby-trapped car... and blew it up, killing dozens,” the statement said.
The ministry identified one victim of the “twin terrorist attack” as Col. Adnan Al-Tamimi, who led a rapid intervention force in Baladruz.
Friday’s attacks are the latest in a series of IS bombings targeting Shiite districts or militias in Iraq, since members of the community have joined ranks with government forces to battle the terror group.