Iraq Suicide Bomber Attacks Banquet; 30 Killed, 42 Wounded

August 25, 2008 7:50 a.m. EST

Hawaz, Iraq (AHN) - A party for to welcome home a man who had just been released from U.S. custody turned deadly as a suicide bomber attacked, killing 30 people and wounding another 42 on Sunday night.

The attack took place in Hawaz, about 18 miles west of Baghdad, officials said.

The family of the freed man had invited relatives, friends and security officials, including members of the U.S.-backed Awakening Council, over to a banquet to celebrate. Among the dead and injured were women and children.

Most members of the Awakening movement are former Sunni Arab insurgents who have been recruited to fight Islamic jihadists loyal to al Qaeda in Iraq and other militias. In the past few months, suicide bombers have frequently targeted members of the Awakening movement.