Baghdad: On Saturday a suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest in the middle of a Shia Muslim gathering, killing at least 30 people and injuring about 65 on Saturday, police and medics said.

Many Shia pilgrims are taking part in mourning rituals commemorating the killing of the Prophet Mohammed’s grandson, Hussein, in the 7th Century.

Some people were also there to mourn the death of a local resident, authorities said.

The tent was set up in a crowded market in Baghdad’s northern al-Shaab district.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but the Islamic State group frequently carries out suicide bombings targeting members of Iraq’s Shia majority, whom it considers heretics. IS has claimed several recent bombings targeting Shias in the Iraqi capital, including one on October 9 that killed at least five people, and two more earlier in the month that left at least 10 dead.

This year, IS revived its bombing campaign in Baghdad killing hundreds of people, in what is seen as a response to the group’s loss of much of its territory in Iraq.

The latest attack comes as Iraqi forces prepare for an offensive in northern Iraq on Mosul, the last IS-held major city in the country.