37 killed in Iraq violence

BAQUBA (AFP) - A string of suicide attacks against Iraqi security forces killed at least 37 people on Tuesday, including 28 when two suicide bombers blew themselves up among a crowd of recruits at an army base.

The two bombers, one of whom wore an Iraqi military uniform, detonated their explosives-filled vests at a recruitment centre on the Al-Saad base, east of the Diyala provincial capital of Baquba, a security official said.

At least 55 people were also wounded in the morning attack, which came ahead of a promised Iraqi army offensive in the province, an Al-Qaeda stronghold just north of Baghdad. “We were about 30 people standing at the entrance,” said one of the wounded, Falah Ali Hussein, 17. “They had just called our names when suddenly there was a big explosion.”

A police officer said the victims were from a first batch of men called from across the province to participate in a military recruitment drive.