BAGHDAD — Suicide bombers targeted two major cities in Iraq on Monday, striking security forces in the Sunni city of Fallujah and Shiite pilgrims in the holy city of Karbala in the country's south, killing at least six people in each attack.

The bombings are an apparent attempt by the Islamic State group to strike back as government troops' advance on their stronghold in the northern city of Mosul. The Sunni militant group claimed responsibility for both bombings.

In Fallujah, the attack was carried out by twin suicide car bombers in the city center - the first such incidents since Iraqi forces in late June declared it "fully liberated" of Islamic State militants after a monthlong operation aided by U.S.-led airstrikes.

Interior Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen Saad Maan said one of the Fallujah bombers killed two policemen and wounded 17 people, including nine civilians.

"They hit a security checkpoint," he said, adding that traffic had been heavy in the area and around 10 vehicles including an ambulance had been damaged. The second bomber killed four people, including two policemen.

IS claimed responsibility for the attack, posting videos online of the bombers before the attack, their faces masked and brandishing assault rifles. Fallujah was the first Iraqi city to fall to IS, in January 2014. Since IS was driven out, families have begun returning to the city, 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of Baghdad.

Earlier in the day, a suicide bombing targeted the sacred Shiite city of Karbala, killing at least six civilians in an attack also claimed by IS.

According to Maan, the ministry spokesman, six suicide bombers tried to sneak into Karbala from its western outskirts but security forces detected and killed five of them. The sixth attacker broke into a house in the city's Ayn al-Tamer neighborhood, where he detonated his suicide vest, killing six people and wounding another six, Maan said.

The attack came as hundreds of thousands of faithful Shiites have been walking to Karbala to commemorate the 7th century death of Imam Hussein, Prophet Muhammad's grandson and an iconic Shiite martyr. The city, where Imam Hussein and his brother are buried, is located some 90 kilometers (55 miles) south of Baghdad. On Sunday, pilgrims are expected to converge on the city for the climax of a 40-day mourning period, known as al-Arbaeen.

In an online statement, the Islamic State group said it targeted "polytheists ... in filthy Karbala." It put the number of the suicide bombers at five, saying they clashed for hours with the security forces and set off their explosives consecutively when they ran out ammunition.

The militants often exaggerate their claims. The Associated Press could not verify the authenticity of the statement, but it was posted on a militant website commonly used by the extremist group.

Like other Sunni extremist groups, IS considers the Shiites heretics and has frequently targeted Shiite civilians and places of worship.

"We are walking all these long distances, we are not afraid of terrorists, we are not afraid of Daesh," said 56-year-old pilgrim Sattar Hussein, using the Arabic acronym for IS. "We are not afraid of anyone who defames Islam. And especially those who are targeting the al-Arbaeen."

Wearing a black traditional Arab dress, Hussein was among hundreds of pilgrims leaving Baghdad on foot to head to Karbala under tight security measures. Some of the marchers were carrying religious flags, including some with a portrait depicting Imam Hussein, as security forces set up check points to search them.

In southern Iraq's Shiite heartland, Karbala is far from Mosul, where a massive Iraqi military operation - launched last month and backed by U.S.-led coalition airstrikes and paramilitary militias - is underway to free the city, Iraq's second-largest, from IS.

A U.N. spokesman said Monday that more than 54,000 people have fled their homes as a result of the Iraqi military operation to retake Mosul from IS militants. Farhan Haq said that number represented an increase of 6,600 people since four days ago.

About three quarters of the displaced people are being shelter in camps set up by the U.N. and its humanitarian partners and one quarter are been housed in host communities, Haq said.

He added that the World Food Program has provided food assistance to more than 100,000 people fleeing the conflict, including a distribution to 25,000 people on Sunday in Gogjali, the first neighborhood retaken inside Mosul.

On Sunday, a wave of attacks in and around Baghdad killed at least 23 people and wounded 70 others. Many of the assaults targeted Shiite pilgrims walking toward Karbala.

Associated Press writers Michael Astor at the United Nations and contributed to this report.</s>BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A suicide bomber killed six people near Iraq’s holy city of Kerbala on Monday at the start of a major Shi’ite Muslim ritual, an attack claimed by the hardline Sunni militants of Islamic State.

The bomber blew himself up west of the city where hundreds of thousands of Shi’ites were gathering to mark Arbaeen, which comes at the end of a 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammad.

Security forces killed five of the bomber’s accomplices before surrounding him in a house where he detonated the device in the rural area of Ain al-Tamr, the ministry added.

Islamic State said in a statement it had planned to target Shi’ites, police and army personnel.

Huge crowds visit the shrines of Hussein and his half-brother Abbas in Kerbala, where they were killed in the 7th century AD, in a revolt against the Umayyad ruler Yazeed.

Islamic State says Shi’ite Muslims are apostates and has regularly attacked their mosques and events.</s>A suicide attack in central Iraq has killed at least six people, officials say.

The Interior Ministry said the bomber blew himself up in the town of Ain al-Tamr on November 14 after security forces killed five of his accomplices and surrounded him in a house.

Six other people were wounded in the blast.

Ain al-Tamer is located 50 kilometers west of the Shi'ite shrine city of Karbala.

The Islamic State (IS) group said in a statement that it had planned to target Shi'a, police, and army personnel as Iraq's Shi'ite majority were preparing to mark the end of a 40-day mourning period for the 7th century death of Imam Hussein, the Prophet Mohammad's grandson.

IS militants also targeted Ain al-Tamer in late August, killing 18 people.

Based on reporting by AFP, Reuters, and AP

</s>A suicide bomber killed six people in the Iraqi town of Ain Al-Tamur, but authorities killed another five would-be attackers and prevented them from detonating their devices.

The six suicide bombers had infiltrated the town, which is about 60 km (37 miles) southwest of Karbala, according to the Iraqi interior ministry.

While security forces were successful in stopping five of the bombers, one managed to enter a house and detonate his vest, killing six people and injuring six more.</s>BAGHDAD (AP) — A suicide bombing in Iraq targeted the Shiite sacred city of Karbala on Monday, killing at least six civilians, the latest attempt by the Islamic State group to distract from the government forces' offensive on the IS-held northern city of Mosul.

According to Interior Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen Saad Maan, six suicide bombers tried to sneak into Karbala from its western outskirts earlier in the day but security forces detected and killed five of them.

The sixth attacker broke into a house in the city's Ayn al-Tamer neighborhood, where he detonated his suicide vest, killing six people and wounding another six.

The attack came as hundreds of thousands of faithful Shiites have been walking to Karbala to commemorate the 7th century death of Imam Hussein, Prophet Muhammad's grandson and an iconic Shiite martyr. The city, where Imam Hussein and his brother are buried, is located some 90 kilometers (55 miles) south of Baghdad. On Sunday, pilgrims are expected to converge on the city for the climax of a 40-day mourning period, known as al-Arbaeen.

In an online statement, the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it targeted "polytheists ... in filthy Karbala." It put the number of the suicide bombers at five, saying they clashed for hours with the security forces and set off their explosives consecutively when they ran out ammunition.

The militants often exaggerate their claims. The Associated Press could not verify the authenticity of the statement, but it was posted on a militant website commonly used by the extremist group.

Like other Sunni extremist groups, IS considers the Shiites heretics and has frequently targeted Shiite civilians and places of worship.

"We are walking all these long distances, we are not afraid of terrorists, we are not afraid of Daesh," said 56-year-old pilgrim Sattar Hussein, using the Arabic acronym for IS. "We are not afraid of anyone who defames Islam. And especially those who are targeting the al-Arbaeen."

Wearing a black traditional Arab dress, Hussein was among hundreds of pilgrims leaving Baghdad on foot to head to Karbala under tight security measures. Some of the marchers were carrying religious flags, including some with a portrait depicting Imam Hussein, as security forces set up check points to search them.

In southern Iraq's Shiite heartland, Karbala is far from Mosul, where a massive Iraqi military operation — launched last month and backed by U.S.-led coalition airstrikes and paramilitary militias — is underway to free the city, Iraq's second-largest, from IS.

On Sunday, a wave of attacks in and around Baghdad killed at least 23 people and wounded 70 others. Many of the assaults targeted Shiite pilgrims walking toward Karbala.</s>BAGHDAD — A suicide bombing in Iraq targeted the Shiite sacred city of Karbala on Monday, killing at least six civilians, the latest attempt by the Islamic State group to distract from the government forces' offensive on the IS-held northern city of Mosul.

According to Interior Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen Saad Maan, six suicide bombers tried to sneak into Karbala from its western outskirts earlier in the day but security forces detected and killed five of them.

The sixth attacker broke into a house in the city's Ayn al-Tamer neighborhood, where he detonated his suicide vest, killing six people and wounding another six.

The attack came as hundreds of thousands of faithful Shiites have been walking to Karbala to commemorate the 7th century death of Imam Hussein, Prophet Muhammad's grandson and an iconic Shiite martyr. The city, where Imam Hussein and his brother are buried, is located some 90 kilometers (55 miles) south of Baghdad. On Sunday, pilgrims are expected to converge on the city for the climax of a 40-day mourning period, known as al-Arbaeen.

In an online statement, the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it targeted "polytheists ... in filthy Karbala." It put the number of the suicide bombers at five, saying they clashed for hours with the security forces and set off their explosives consecutively when they ran out ammunition.

The militants often exaggerate their claims. The Associated Press could not verify the authenticity of the statement, but it was posted on a militant website commonly used by the extremist group.

Like other Sunni extremist groups, IS considers the Shiites heretics and has frequently targeted Shiite civilians and places of worship.

"We are walking all these long distances, we are not afraid of terrorists, we are not afraid of Daesh," said 56-year-old pilgrim Sattar Hussein, using the Arabic acronym for IS. "We are not afraid of anyone who defames Islam. And especially those who are targeting the al-Arbaeen."

Wearing a black traditional Arab dress, Hussein was among hundreds of pilgrims leaving Baghdad on foot to head to Karbala under tight security measures. Some of the marchers were carrying religious flags, including some with a portrait depicting Imam Hussein, as security forces set up check points to search them.

In southern Iraq's Shiite heartland, Karbala is far from Mosul, where a massive Iraqi military operation - launched last month and backed by U.S.-led coalition airstrikes and paramilitary militias - is underway to free the city, Iraq's second-largest, from IS.

Also Monday, a U.N. spokesman said that more than 54,000 people have fled their homes as a result of the Iraqi military operation to retake Mosul from IS militants. Farhan Haq said that number represented an increase of 6,600 people since four days ago.

About three quarters of the displaced people are being shelter in camps set up by the U.N. and its humanitarian partners and one quarter are been housed in host communities, Haq said.

He added that the World Food Program has provided food assistance to more than 100,000 people fleeing the conflict, including a distribution to 25,000 people on Sunday in Gogjali, the first neighborhood retaken inside Mosul.

On Sunday, a wave of attacks in and around Baghdad killed at least 23 people and wounded 70 others. Many of the assaults targeted Shiite pilgrims walking toward Karbala.

Associated Press writer Michael Astor at the United Nations contributed to this report.</s>Amaq said the attackers clashed with security forces for several hours, later detonating their suicide vests, targeting Iraqi security forces. CNN could not independently verify the claim.

While security forces were successful in stopping five of the bombers, one managed to enter a house and detonate his vest, killing six people and injuring six more.

Ain Al-Tamur is a small historical town about 45 km (28 miles) west of Karbala. It's famous for its springs and some ruins, according to Lt. Ali Qassim, a police official there.

It is predominately Shiite village and in August was again a target for ISIS attacks that killed more than 18 people, Qasim added. Every year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims amass in Karbala for al-Arbaeen, which commemorates the end of a 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed. He died in battle in the 7th century, and is buried in Karbala, about 60 miles southwest of Baghdad. Karbala's main holy site is the gold-domed Imam Hussein Shrine. Suicide bombs have long been an ISIS modus operandi. Two days ago, a suicide bomb attack killed at least 52 people and injured more than 100 others during a religious ceremony in the Lasbela district of Balochistan, according to local law enforcement. Again through its media wing Amaq, ISIS claimed responsibility for the Saturnday evening blast on a Sufi shrine, 120 miles from Karachi. , three separate attacks on one day in Baghdad killed at least 15 people. , three separate attacks on one day in Baghdad killed at least 15 people. In September , three separate attacks on one day in Baghdad killed at least 15 people. It is also a common strategy in the group's defense of the city of Mosul, which it has occupied since 2014. The city is the subject of a concerted push by Iraqi forces to liberate it from the jihadists. On Sunday, Iraqi forces liberated the village of Nimrud and the site of the ruins as part of the ongoing battle for Mosul, ISIS' last major stronghold in Iraq, according to Col. Mohammed Ibrahim, a spokesman for Iraq's Joint operations command. ISIS is fortifying positions in eastern Mosul, digging new trenches, building berms and erecting walls and barriers on major roads, witnesses and residents tell CNN. They say the terror group has also rigged farm equipment with explosives and hid them in residential areas of several neighborhoods. Intense clashes between ISIS and Iraqi forces lasted for several hours Sunday in the eastern neighborhood of Al Intisar, residents there say. Iraqi forces have been slowly battling their way towards the center of Mosul, encountering fierce resistance. In the Al Zahraa neighborhood they are using abandoned cars left behind by fleeing citizens to block roads against ISIS car bombs. Much-needed food supplies arrived in parts of Mosul Sunday. CNN saw 20 trucks with white flags and carrying World Food Program boxes at the eastern entrance of the city. Other witnesses saw food and first aid supplies arrive in Al Zahraa.</s>BAGHDAD — Iraq's Interior Ministry says a suicide attack south of Baghdad has killed at least six civilians.

Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Saad Maan says six suicide bombers tried Monday to infiltrate the holy Shiite city of Karbala, but security forces managed to kill five of them. Maan added that the sixth bomber broke into a house where he blew up himself, killing six and wounding six.

Hundreds of thousands of faithful Shiites have been walking to Karbala to commemorate the end on Sunday of the 40-day mourning period of the seventh century death of Imam Hussein, Prophet Muhammad's grandson. The city is located is some 90 (55 miles) south of Baghdad.

No group claimed responsibility, but suspicion fell on Sunni religious extremists who consider Shiites as heretics.</s>KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghan security officials have confirmed that at least four security forces were killed when their vehicle was attacked by a suicide bomber in the capital Kabul.

The security officials, who did not want to be named as the investigation into the attack is still underway, said Wednesday that 11 others were wounded in the attack which took place in Puli Mohmood Kahn area near the Afghan defense ministry compound.

They said it is not clear if the bomber was on foot or on a motorbike when he attacked the forces.

No any group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but Taliban insurgents have recently increased their attacks against Afghan security forces across the country.</s>A suicide attack near the Defense Ministry in Kabul has killed at least four people and wounded 11, according to an Afghan official.

The attack Wednesday in the Pule Mahmoud Khan area of Kabul targeted an Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) vehicle, Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said.

Some civilians were among the casualties, he added.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The attack comes days after an apparent suicide bombing at the largest US base in the country, which just observed the 15th anniversary of operations against the war on terror. Four Americans were killed in the attack early Saturday at Bagram Airfield, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter said. Two of those killed were service members, and two were contractors, Carter said, adding he was "deeply saddened" by the news. Also last week, a suicide car bomb targeted the German consulate in Afghanistan's northern Balkh province on Thursday, local police and officials said. Four people were killed and more 100 were injured when the attack happened in Mazar-e-Sharif, the provincial capital, Balkh province spokesman Monir Ahmad Farhad said. No German diplomats were hurt. Opinion: 15 years on, we must not let Afghanistan slide backwards
A suicide bomber kills six people near Karbala.