12 killed in Iraq suicide bombing

BAGHDAD - At least 12 people were killed in a suicide bombing late Thursday that targeted a celebration in the city of Ramadi to mark Prophet Mohammed’s birthday.

Security sources said the bomber blew himself up in Ramadi, which is about 120 km west of capital Baghdad.

Also Thursday, a father and his three sons were killed by gunmen linked to Al Qaeda in Iraq in their home in the city of Baquba, about 60 km northeast of Baghdad.

One of the sons was a policeman in Diyala province, but it was not clear why the family had been targeted.

Meanwhile, in the restive northern city of Mosul, a civilian was killed and nine others wounded when gunmen attacked a police checkpoint.