On the 1st January 2009, 25 people were killed in a suicide bombing in the town of Yusufiya south of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, reported Turkmeneli TV.
About 67 Turkmen Qaragol tribes were also injured in the attack at a gathering of Turkmen Qaragol tribal leaders in Yusufiya, 20km (12 miles) from Baghdad. The Qaragoli tribes are Türkmen tribes that are settled in the region of Baghdad and the province of Alwaset.
The suicide bomber had entered the home of a Sheikh as a council meeting was being held by the Turkmen Qaragol Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah Salih to discuss the election ahead of the provincial polls scheduled for later this month.
A number of tribal elders and leaders on the board of support and Sheikhs from Turkmen Qaragol are reported to be among the casualties. The injured from the blast have been transferred to the Alyermuk Hospital in Baghdad and to the General Hospital of Almahmudiya for treatment.
Mofak Salman
Ireland