Canada’s PM makes surprise visit to Iraq

Associated Press

BAGHDAD

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper made a surprise visit Saturday to Iraq, pledging to continue Canada’s support for the battle against the Islamic State group as bombings across the country killed at least 30 people.

The Canadian government has announced $139 million in additional aid to address the refugee crisis around the region precipitated by the fighting, in addition to the $67 million already committed to Iraq.

Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi received Harper in Baghdad. Canada is part of the U.S.-led international coalition supporting the Iraqi military with airstrikes and training.

Meanwhile Saturday, a suicide car bombing followed by another car bombing minutes later in Baghdad’s popular Karrada neighborhood killed at least 17 people, police said. The bombs struck as restaurants and coffee shops were full of people, they said.

In eastern Diyala province, a roadside bomb killed five women and two children traveling in a minibus, police said. Islamic State fighters were largely driven out of the eastern province earlier this year but still plant roadside bombs.

In Anbar province, three soldiers and three militiamen were killed and nine were wounded when a suicide car bomber drove an explosive-rigged humvee into their headquarters in the town of Garma, a police officer said.