On 21 September 2013, a series of car and suicide bombings struck the central and northern regions of Iraq, with the largest attack targeting a funeral in Sadr City, a predominantly Shi'ite neighborhood of Baghdad.
The protests had been largely peaceful, but insurgents, emboldened by the war in neighboring Syria, stepped up attacks in the initial months of 2013.
[7] The attack in Sadr City took place shortly before sunset, just as dinner was being served at one of the tents set up for the funeral of a member of the al-Fartousi tribe.
Firefighters had to reportedly leave the scene to refill their trucks with water, as they struggled to contain the immense blaze set off by the explosions.
Less than two hours later, an additional bombing struck Baghdad's Ur neighborhood, adjacent to Sadr City, killing 9 civilians and injuring 14 others.