By Brittani Howell

Impunity Watch Reporter, The Middle East

BAGHDAD, Iraq – On Friday, a suicide bomber detonated an explosive belt at a soccer game killing at least 41 people in a town south of Baghdad. Islamic State militants claimed responsibility for the attack, according to a statement issued by its news agency al-Amaq.

The attack which wounded 105 people occurred in the town of Iskandariyah in the Babil province struck a crowd gathering for a game between two local teams. The game was sponsored by Asaib Ahl al-Hag, a powerful Shi’ite militia with ties to Iran. A trophy was being presented to the winning team of the match when the bomb detonated.

Among those killed was the head of the local council and also injured two senior local figures of Asaib Ahl al-Haq according to the head of the local security, Falah Abdul Kareem. Sheik Jawad, the head of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq office in Babil Province, stated, ” The attack was carried to destabilize the confidence between the people and Asaib, to take revenge against us after our victories.”

The U.N Secretary-General for Iraq, Jan Kubis, condemned the attack carried out by the Islamic State. He stated, “The evildoers are aiming their wrath at the innocent and vulnerable civilians.” Kubis continued, “Today, Daesh committed yet another atrocity, targeting families who were enjoying their weekend attending a football game in their hometown. This abhorrent act deserves the strongest condemnation.”

The director of the U.S State Departments office of Press Relations Elizabeth Trudeau, provided a statement speaking against the attack, ” The United States condemns today’s suicide bombing claimed by Daesh… which killed and wounded dozens of Iraqis who had gathered to support a local football game.”

The Islamic State’s news agency, Amaq News Agency, reported that more than 60 people died and more than 100 people were wounded. They also reported that the bombing name was Saifullah al-Ansari, allegedly a fake name, and indicated that he was a local Iraqi or Syrian member. The news agency also provided the statement from Islamic State which stated, “Our knight immersed into their crowds until he detonated his belt, turning them into scattered parts.”

Earlier this month at least 33 people were killed and another 15 were wounded in a suicide bombing in Hilla in the Babil province. The Islamic State also claimed responsibility for this attack and stated, “the battle has just started and the coming will be worse.” This attack came just one week after two suicide bombings which targeted Shi’ite areas of Baghdad and killed over 100 people.

For more information, please see:

CNN – ISIS Claims Suicide Attack on Iraqi Stadium That Kills 33 – 26 March 2016

The Washington Post – Islamic State Suicide Bomber Kills Dozens at a Stadium south of Baghdad – 26 March 2016

BBC News – Iraq Violence: ‘IS Suicide Attack’ Kills 29 in Football Match – 25 March 2016

The New York Times – ISIS Suicide Bomber in Iraq Kills Dozens at Soccer Game – 25 March 2016