BAGHDAD — The U.S. military today blamed al-Qaida in Iraq for a double suicide bombing that killed at least 36 people during a wedding procession through a crowd of people cheering the bride and groom in a town northeast of Baghdad.

The terror network announced April 19 that it was launching a one-month offensive against U.S. troops and U.S.-allied Sunnis.

"Al-Qaida in Iraq continues their malicious tactics against the people of Iraq and their way of life," the military said in a statement. "They seek violence and chaos in Iraq."

Thursday's blasts occurred in Balad Ruz, a predominantly Shiite Muslim town 45 miles northeast of Baghdad. An Iraqi female suicide bomber imitating pregnancy detonated the first bomb. A male bomber also blew himself up.

The woman bomber blew herself up as people were dancing and clapping while members of the passing wedding party played music. The male bomber attacked minutes later as police and ambulances arrived at the scene, said Maj. Gen. Abdul-Karim al-Rubaie, head of the Diyala provincial operations center.

The two explosions tore through the stalls and stores that lined the area. Al-Rubaie said at least 35 people were killed and 65 were wounded, including the bride and groom. One of the injured died at a hospital overnight, increasing the death toll to 36.

AP Television News footage showed mourners today, including a man crying and kissing the face of a dead relative on a stretcher. Blood still pooled on a dirt road littered with victims' sandals and slippers.