(VOVworld) – A suicide bombing targeting Shiite pilgrims north of Baghdad on Monday killed 17 people and put 35 others in critical condition. There hasn’t been claim of responsibility for the attack. But local officials said the bombing was carried out by Sunni extremists in Iraq, including Islamic State militants.

A police officer stands guard as Shi'ite pilgrims make their way to the holy city of Kerbala, ahead of the holy Shiite ritual in Baghdad. (Photo: Reuters)

On Monday, a car bomb exploded near a gas plant in Syria's Homs province, killing 8 and injuring 15. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the jihadist IS group claimed responsibility for the attack. Two Moroccan bombers were killed.