Muhammad ibn Ali al-Hadi Mausoleum attack

Muhammad ibn Ali al-Hadi Mausoleum attack
Part of Iraqi Civil War (2014–present)
Balad Muhammad ibn Ali al-Hadi Mausoleum attack (Iraq) Location of Balad, where the attack took place, in Iraq.
Location	Mausoleum of Sayid Mohammed bin Ali al-Hadi, Balad, Iraq
Date	7 July 2016 23:00 (AST)
Target	Shi'ite Pilgrims
Weapons	Suicide car bombs, suicide bombs, guns, mortars
Deaths	56 to 100+ (+3 attackers)
Non-fatal injuries	75+
Perpetrator	Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
Motive	Anti-Shiaism

On July 7, 2016, at least 56 people were killed and 75 injured after a group of attackers stormed the Mausoleum of Sayid Mohammed bin Ali al-Hadi, a Shi'ite holy site in Balad, Iraq. The attackers included suicide car bombers, suicide bombers on foot, and several gunmen. They attacked Shi'ite pilgrims celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. There were three suicide bombers, and one of them was killed by security personnel. There were other attackers too. ISIS also launched several mortars into the area.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant is claimed to be behind the attack, and claimed that they killed over 100 people, which comes after a recent series of attacks in Baghdad committed by ISIS that targeted Shi'ites, killing at least 300 people and injuring over 246.

Four days before this attack, ISIL had carried out the July 2016 Baghdad bombings, which constituted the deadliest single terror attack since the start of the Iraq War, killing at least 341 people. After that attack, an Iraqi official speaking to the Guardian had predicted that the group's next target would be a Shia shrine, reflecting its "desperation".

The mausoleum is the resting place of Sayid Mohammed bin Ali al-Hadi, the son of Ali al-Hadi, the tenth Imam of The Twelve Imams. Therefore, it is a popular place for Shi'ite pilgrims. Located at the shrine were many Shi'ite pilgrims celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The attack occurred during the Eid al-Fitr, when many pilgrims visit the site.

Prior to the attack, ISIS launched several mortars into the area. After this, several attackers stormed the mausoleum using car suicide bombs, guns, and suicide belts or vests at around 23:00 (Iraqi time). There were three suicide bombers who attempted to run inside the mausoleum with the goal of blowing themselves up, killing civilians. One suicide bomber was shot by policemen before blowing himself up. A second bomber made his way inside the shrine and allegedly was able to blow himself up. The third bomber was stopped from entering the shrine after being hugged by a civilian, instead detonating his suicide vest outside of the gate near police officers. "At least 20 militants" then took over the shrine for half an hour, clashing with security while reinforcements arrived, killing at least seven. It is unknown whether or not any of the other attackers were killed or arrested. The fire caused by the bombing also heavily damaged the marketplace next to the compound.