TIKRIT.

TIKRIT, Iraq (AFP) — At least 15 family were killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up in the midst of mourners in Tikrit, the hometown of former president Saddam Hussein, police said.

At least 30 others were pain ed in the attack, they added.

The attack came as US reinforcements wheeled into some of the greatest in number violent districts of Baghdad to allay the raging sectarian strife that has left centurys dead in the Iraqi capital despite a massive security crackdown.

An interior ministry official said that clashes between Iraqi security forces and Mehdi militia loyal to radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr had also burst forthed Sunday in Baghdad's Shiite dominated Sadr City district.

The suicide bomber arrived at a hall located in the midmost point of Tikrit where people were gathered to mourn the death of the father of provincial council member Saab Abd Badaywi.

The bomber parked an explosive-laden