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Suicide Bomber in Iraq Kills 30

Blast south of Baghdad takes place during tribal gathering

By the Associated Press

Posted Jan 2, 2009 9:45 AM CST

(AP) – A suicide bomber sneaked into a luncheon gathering called by the leader of a local tribe, killing 30 people and wounding 110 today, police said. The blast in Youssifiyah in the Sunni-dominated region south of Baghdad comes less than a month after a suicide bomber killed 55 people at a cafe in Kirkuk.

The bombing was at a meeting hall adjacent to the residence of Sheik Mohammed Abdullah Salih, head of the Sunni al-Garaqul tribe. Police said the sheik had invited senior tribal figures and other members to lunch. The bomber was an outsider who managed to get into the house. Also today, gunmen killed two people at a checkpoint manned by members of the Sons of Iraq in Jurf al-Sakhar, police said.

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

Iraqi Army soldiers are seen during a raid to search for weapons in a house in Youssifiyah, south of Baghdad in Iraq. A bomb at a tribal luncheon killed 30 on Friday while wounding 110. (AP Photo/Loay Hameed)

Iraqi soldiers take defensive position while on the joint search mission with the U.S. troops near Youssifiyah, 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of Baghdad, Iraq earlier this year. (AP Photo/Haidar Fatehi)

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What an aftermath we saw—shattered glasses mixed with blood, everybody on the ground, a bad smell, blood, remains of bodies stuck to the wall. - Ismael Abu Ayab al-Qaraghuli, witness to the bombing

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Suicide Bomber in Iraq Kills 30