IS threatens Iraq polling stations ahead of vote

BAGHDAD: The Islamic State group has threatened to attack Iraqi polling stations and voters during parliamentary elections next month. In a message posted to the Telegram messaging app on Sunday, IS spokesman Abu Hassan al-Muhajir called on Iraqis to boycott the May 12 polls, the first since Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory over the Jihadists in December.

"Our judgement will apply to those who call for them and participate in them... The voting centres and those in them are targets for our swords, so stay away from them and do not walk nearby."

Extremist groups have long targeted the a majority in Iraq. Jihadist groups in Iraq have targeted every election since the 2003 US-led invasion that deposed Saddam Hussein and paved the way for the major group to dominate every government since.