BAGHDAD, (AP) – An al-Qaeda in Iraq front organization is claiming responsibility for a suicide attack that killed a U.S.-allied Sunni leader in northern Baghdad on Sunday.
The Islamic State of Iraq says the suicide bomber who targeted Farooq al-Obeidi was a male university student. Al-Obeidi was deputy leader of the local awakening council in Azamiyah. Nine others were killed and 20 wounded.
The awakening councils are paid by U.S. officials to fight al-Qaeda in Iraq.
The statement was posted Wednesday on a militant Web site, but its authenticity could not be independently verified.