Blast at Shia political rally in Baghdad kills 18 people

Militant group held meeting to introduce candidates for Iraq election next week

A series of explosions killed 18 people at a Shia political organisation's rally in Iraq today, police and medical sources said.

The militant group, Asaib Ahl Haq (League of the Righteous), introduced its candidates for elections on April 30th at the rally in eastern Baghdad. Three bombs exploded in succession as people were leaving, Reuters reporters at the scene said.

A roadside bomb blew up near the main gate, followed by a suicide car bomb after a few minutes and then a final explosion.

The group is accused by some Sunnis and Shia of carrying out killings and driving families from their homes.

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Its leader Sheik Qais Khazaali denies the allegations but says his movement defends Iraq against terrorism. Some of its fighters are in Syria defending the shrine of Sayyida Zainab in Damascus.

Reuters