Iraqi Sunni cleric’s convoy struck by bomb

AP Photo

Iraqi officials say a bomb has struck the convoy of a senior Sunni cleric in western Baghdad, killing at least one person and critically injuring the religious leader.
 
An official at the Sunni endowment, which runs Sunni religious sites, says Sheik Mahdi al-Sumaidaie was badly hurt in Sunday’s blast, and a bodyguard was killed. The cleric had just been leading prayers to mark the beginning of the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which follows the holy month of Ramadan.
 
Al-Sumaidaie has sided with the government against Sunni Muslim extremists. Moderate clerics seen as allied with the Shiite-led government are often targeted by insurgents.
 
Police confirmed the blast and say the death toll may be higher. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information.