Dozens killed by Islamic State bombing at funeral in Iraq

At least 38 people have been killed by an Islamic State suicide bombing at an Iraqi funeral.

Another 58 people were wounded in the attack in Muqdadiyah, about 60 miles north of Baghdad, according to security and hospital officials.

The dead included a local commander from Asaib Ahl al-Haq, a powerful Shiite militia which is part of the state-sanctioned Popular Mobilisation Forces, responsible for much of the security in the area.

The attacker was wearing a suicide vest and entered the funeral hall among mourners lining up to pay their respects, according to a local security official.

IS bombed a cafe frequented by militiamen in Muqdadiyah in January, killing at least 32 people and triggering a wave of revenge attacks on Sunni mosques and civilians.

Human Rights Watch blamed the reprisal attacks on powerful militias within the Popular Mobilisation Forces.

IS claimed responsibility for the latest attack in a statement posted online, the day after a double bombing in Baghdad claimed by IS killed 73 people.

The initial blast ripped through a crowded market in the Shiite district of Sadr City. A suicide bomber then targeted the crowd that gathered to help the victims.

Sunday’s bombings marked the deadliest single attack in the Iraqi capital in months, fuelling fears that IS is resorting to mass attacks on civilians as it suffers battlefield setbacks.

IS still controls much of northern and western Iraq but has been driven back in recent months.

The government recently declared the western city of Ramadi “fully liberated”, after IS captured it last year.