Suicide bomber kills at least 23 in Iraq

USPA News - At least 23 people were killed after a suicide bomber targeted a local council in Iraq, just north of Baghdad, local media reported Monday. The bomb attack targeted the local Awakening Council in Taji, Iraq, which is located around 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Baghdad, the country`s capital.

According to reports, several members of the council were outside an office waiting for their monthly paychecks when a a suicide bomber detonated the explosives. Most of the fatal victims were council members, but a few soldiers were also killed. Dozens of others were also reported injured, also including a number of soldiers. No group or terrorist organization has claimed responsibility of the attack, but the council has been a common target in recent years. The Awakening Council, also known as Sahwa or Sons of Iraq, consists mostly of former Sunni militant groups linked with al-Qaeda and fighting against coalition forces, but they turned against al-Qaeda, joining U.S. and Iraqi forces.