Suicide bomber kills 20 at Iraq political rally

Officials say a suicide bomber has killed 20 people and wounded more than 50 in an attack at political rally in the Iraqi city of Baqouba.

Councilman Sadiq al-Huseini says the bomber detonated his explosives as candidate Muthana al-Jourani was hosting lunch for supporters on Saturday in Baqouba, 60 km northeast of Baghdad.

A health official and police officer who provided details about the attack spoke anonymously because they weren’t authorised to speak to media.

Violence is expected to surge in the lead up to Iraq’s provincial elections on April 20.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but such attacks are the hallmark of al-Qaeda militants seeking to undermine confidence in the Shia-led government.