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Suicide bomber in Iraq was teen from Australia

An 18-year-old Australian identified by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria as Abu Bakr al-Australi launched a suicide attack against a market near a Baghdad mosque on Thursday, killing three and wounding dozens.

By JC Finley
Iraqi refugees, who fled from the violence in Mosul, wait up to receive free food inside the Khazer refugee camp on the outskirts of Erbil, in Iraq's Kurdistan region. (UPI/Ceerwan Aziz)
Iraqi refugees, who fled from the violence in Mosul, wait up to receive free food inside the Khazer refugee camp on the outskirts of Erbil, in Iraq's Kurdistan region. (UPI/Ceerwan Aziz) | License Photo

BAGHDAD, July 21 (UPI) -- An 18-year-old from Australia was responsible for a suicide bombing in Baghdad on July 17, the Australian government has confirmed.

The attack, which targeted a market near a mosque in Baghdad, killed three and injured dozens.

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The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria claimed responsibility for the bombing and, in a tweet, identified the bomber by his nom de guerre: Abu Bakr al-Australi.

An Australian teen's involvement in the bombing was a "disturbing development," Australia's Attorney General, George Brandis, said in a statement.

Brandis condemned the attacks undertaken by ISIS, (also called ISIL), and said the government "is deeply concerned about the involvement of Australians in these activities."

The attorney general also voiced concern that Australian foreign fighters can pose "a significant domestic security threat to Australia when those involved return home and seek to pursue violence here."

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