A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-rigged vehicle near a crowded checkpoint north of Baghdad on Monday, killing 12 people, security and medical officials said.
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The blast set on fire 13 civilian vehicles nearby and damaged many others, and destroyed part of the checkpoint’s building.
Amaq, a news agency that supports Islamic State, said the attack had targeted Iraqi troops in Khalis, which is located in the eastern province of Diyala, a mixed Sunni-Shi’ite Muslim area bordering Iran.
In recent months, IS has lost control of some major towns and cities it seized in Iraq in 2014 and has stepped up suicide attacks in apparent response.
No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Islamic State (IS) militant group turned out to be behind most of similar suicide attacks in the past, targeting areas where crowds of people gather, including markets, cafes and mosques across Iraq.
The blast came a day after a suicide bombing claimed by IS killed at least 15 people in Baghdad’s Kadhimiyah neighbourhood.
A police officer says Monday’s attack took place at one of the entrances to the town of Khalis. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release information.
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Iraq declared victory over the Sunni insurgents in Diyala more than a year ago, but the militants remain active despite holding no significant territory there. But the extremists have continued to carry out near-daily bombings in and around Baghdad, as well as complex attacks in other countries.
