AN attack on a cafe in central Iraq killed at least 13 people Friday, including a group of Real Madrid soccer fans, prompting condemnation from the Spanish Government and the soccer club, which said players would wear black arm bands in mourning.

    The Islamic State group claimed the attack, in which a group of gunmen and two suicide bombers assaulted a cafe in Balad, 80 kilometers north of Baghdad. Another 15 people were wounded in the assault, which the extremist group said had targeted government-allied militiamen.

    Statements released by the Spanish Government and Real Madrid said the attack targeted a local fan club. Soccer is hugely popular in Iraq, and Real Madrid and Barcelona are among the most cheered-for teams, making it likely that fans would have gathered in the cafe.

    (SD-Agencies)