DHAKA: An attack on a Shia family living near Baghdad has left at least 16 people dead, Iraqi officials say

They were killed after militants bombed two adjacent houses belonging to brothers from a Shia family in Latifiya, 40 km south of the Iraqi capital.

At least five women and six children are believed to be among the dead.

Violence has surged across Iraq in recent months, reaching its highest level since 2008.

More than 800 people were killed in August alone, with Baghdad province worst affected.

Gunmen opened fire on 16 members of the same family overnight before blowing up the two homes, medical and police officials say.

‘Gunmen broke into our house overnight and shot my father four times in the head, they killed my two brothers, they killed my cousin, they were shooting everyone they saw, I escaped from the back door,’ eyewitness Haneen Mudhhir told media from hospital, reports the BBC.

It was not immediately clear who carried out the attack.

BDST: 1608 HRS, SEPT 04, 2013
RoR/SRS