Suicide bombing in kills 35, wounds 63, in Baghdad, says Iraqi police

A suicide bombing targeting a funeral gathering in northern Baghdad on Saturday killed at least 35 people and left another 63 wounded, said Iraqi police and hospital officials.

The attack in the Shaab neighborhood occurred at around lunchtime, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief the media.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement carried by the IS-linked Aamaq news agency.

The claim could not be independently verified, but it was carried by a news organisation affiliated with the IS group.

The attack comes as Iraqi security forces are preparing for an operation to retake the militant-held northern city of Mosul, the country’s second largest city, from the IS group.

In the past the extremists have increased insurgent attacks inside government-held territory far from the front lines after suffering territorial losses on the battlefield.

Iraq has seen several bombings in recent months, though most have had lower death tolls than Saturday’s attack.

In July, a massive car bomb in central Baghdad’s popular shopping district of Karradah killed about 300 people and forced the resignation of the country’s interior minister.