At least 12 Real Madrid fans killed in Islamic State attack on Iraq cafe

Islamic State militants have attacked a cafe in Iraq frequented by supporters of the Spanish football club Real Madrid, killing at least 12 people, the BBC reports.

Three men opened fire with machine guns at the al-Furat Cafe in the mainly Shia town of Balad early on Friday.

The assailants fled and hours later one blew himself up after being cornered by Shia militiamen, killing four of them.

In a claim of responsibility, IS said the attack had targeted militiamen and did not mention any connection to Real.

But a statement from Real Madrid said 16 members of a supporters club had died in the attack.

“The club expresses its great sadness and offers its regards and condolences to the families and friends of the victims,” the statement said.

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Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS