The White House on Thursday condemned an Islamic State suicide attack on Shia Muslims in Iraq, which reports say killed at least 97 people as they were returning from a religious pilgrimage.
Reports said the Islamic State took credit for blowing up a gasoline tanker that was parked near a gas station.
“The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack today in the city of Hilla, Iraq, which initial reports indicate killed at least 80 people and wounded many more,” said National Security Council spokesman Ned Price.
“Many of those killed were pilgrims, including from Iran, returning from commemorating the Shi’a observance of Arbaeen in the city of Karbala,” he said. “The United States extends its deepest sympathies to the families of the victims, as well as to all of Iraq, for this senseless violence, which was clearly intended to stoke sectarian tensions.”
“The United States remains steadfast in its partnership with the Iraqi people and government, and this attack only serves to strengthen our resolve in defeating ISIL,” he said.
State Department spokesman John Kirby said the attack “only reinforces our commitment to helping defeat these murders.”
Some 80 people killed by Da’esh in Iraq, some just sitting down to eat. Only reinforces our commitment to helping defeat these murderers.
— Heather Nauert (@statedeptspox) November 24, 2016
