[citation needed] An Iraqi army major general said "the attackers arrived in two pick-up trucks after two bombs had gone off at the house of a local Shi'ite militia leader, Abdul Samad Salar Al-Zarkoshi, killing three of his men.

"[9] According to an eyewitness, the casualties included the local Imam (the first targeted victim, according to witnesses),[10] and women and children who were killed as they tried to save relatives from the gunfire.

[11] When Iraqi security forces arrived at the scene, supported by Shi'ite militias, they triggered bombs that had been planted by the attackers to cover their escape.

[12] As a result of the attack, Sunni politicians Saleh al-Mutlaq and Salim al-Jabouri suspended their participation in talks with the main Shi'ite political alliance to form a new government.

"[9] Another Sunni lawmaker, Talal al-Zouba’i, said "Iraqi security forces did nothing to stop the massacre and had barred rescue teams attempting to reach the mosque;" adding, "These Shiite militias are massing across the country and killing people based on their identity.

The new designated Iraqi prime minister, Haider al-Abadi, demanded the police to investigate the crime scene as fast as they can and let nothing like this ever happen again.

[15] Other Shi'ite militias condemned the attack, with the Asaib Ahl al-Haq describing it as "barbaric" and "a crime that we cannot turn a blind eye to.

[20] On 2 November, the Human Rights Watch stated that the Shi'ite militia of Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq committed the massacre, killing 73 worshipers.