Suicide bombers wearing women's robes blew themselves up Friday in a Shiite mosque in northern Baghdad, killing at least 79 people and injuring more than 164, police said. 

Elsewhere in the capital, a U.S. service member died Friday of wounds suffered while on patrol in western Baghdad, the military said.

Police Lt. Col. Falah al-Mohammedawi said the explosions were caused by two suicide attackers wearing black abayas at the Buratha mosque, which is affiliated with the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, the main Shiite party.

Jalal Eddin al-Sagheer, the preacher at the mosque and one of the country's leading politicians, said there were three assailants.

The attack took place as worshippers were leaving after Friday prayers, the AP reported. Earlier Friday, the Interior Ministry warned people in Baghdad to avoid crowds near mosques and markets due to a car bomb threat.

Security forces were searching the city, with orders to protect holy sites and be on the lookout for suspicious cars, the statement said.

© 2006 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)