By Ali Jawad

BAGHDAD

Three Iraqi civilians were shot dead in the southern city of Basra early Wednesday, according to an Iraqi military officer.

Two masked gunmen on a motorbike opened fire on the three, killing them on the spot, lieutenant Mohamed Khalaf told Anadolu Agency.

He said the attackers had fled the scene unscathed.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Basra has seen a surge in armed attacks in recent weeks amid tribal feuds in the oil-rich city, which is home to Iraq’s biggest oilfields.