Iraqi officials: Bombs targeting Sunni mosques in Baghdad kill 7 people

BAGHDAD – Iraqi officials say bombs planted near two Sunni mosques in Baghdad have killed seven worshippers in the latest attacks targeting the sect’s holy sites.

Police officials say one of the attacks took place after Friday prayers as the worshippers were leaving the al-Tawheed mosque in the Iraqi capital’s Dora neighbourhood.

They say that explosion killed five people and wounded 21.

And in western Baghdad, two Sunni worshippers were killed and 11 were wounded when a bomb struck worshippers leaving a Sunni mosque.

A hospital official confirmed the death toll. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to talk to media.

There has been a spike in attacks on Sunni mosques in recent months amid rising political and sectarian tension in the country.