Drive-by shooting at Iraqi mosque kills 3 worshippers, says police

Drive-by shooting at Iraq mosque kills 3

BAGHDAD — An Iraqi police spokesman says a drive-by shooting south of Baghdad has killed three Sunni worshippers as they were leaving mosque following morning prayers.

Babil police Maj. Muthana Khalid said gunmen opened fire on the men as they were leaving the Abid Wayis mosque shortly after 4 a.m. in the town of Jurf al-Sakhr just south of the capital.

The gunmen sped off after their attack.

The shooting comes in the first week of Ramadan, a holy month of daylight fasting for Muslims.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi police say a series of rush-hour bombings across Baghdad hit commuters on their way to work, killing four and injuring at least 16.

Sunday’s deadliest strike came when a roadside bomb exploded at 7:15 a.m. local time next to a minibus heading from the Shiite neighborhood of Sadr City into downtown.

Police said three people were killed, including a police officer, and nine were wounded.

A hospital worker confirmed the casualties.

Earlier, three bombs planted a few meters away from each other in a downtown business district blew up simultaneously. Police and hospital officials said a bystander was killed and seven injured.

All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.