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| Deadly market bomb hits Iraq city | Deadly market bomb hits Iraq city |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| At least 25 people have been killed by a car bomb at a market in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk, officials say. | At least 25 people have been killed by a car bomb at a market in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk, officials say. |
| The attack in the Shurja district came as Iraqis celebrated the withdrawal of US troops from towns and cities in Iraq, six years after the invasion. | |
| Iraqi and US troops have been on alert for attacks during the pullback, which was declared a national holiday. | Iraqi and US troops have been on alert for attacks during the pullback, which was declared a national holiday. |
| Ten days ago more than 70 people were killed in a truck bombing in Kirkuk - the deadliest attack in over a year. | Ten days ago more than 70 people were killed in a truck bombing in Kirkuk - the deadliest attack in over a year. |
| Police Brig Gen Sarhat Qadir told the Associated Press news agency at least 40 people had been wounded in the latest blast, caused by an explosives-laden vehicle parked near the crowded market. | Police Brig Gen Sarhat Qadir told the Associated Press news agency at least 40 people had been wounded in the latest blast, caused by an explosives-laden vehicle parked near the crowded market. |
| Volatile mix | Volatile mix |
| Police said the blast went off as people did their evening shopping in the outdoor Shurja market. | |
| Those who think Iraqis are unable to protect their country commit a big mistake Nouri MalikiIraqi Prime Minister Iraqi voices: US troop pullback In pictures: Iraq celebrates | |
| A teeming maze of shops and stalls, it is one of the country's best-known markets, attracting buyers and sellers from all over Iraq, say correspondents. | |
| Kirkuk, about 250km (155 miles) from Baghdad, was also the scene of two suicide bombings last month, in which 14 people were killed. | Kirkuk, about 250km (155 miles) from Baghdad, was also the scene of two suicide bombings last month, in which 14 people were killed. |
| The city is the centre of northern Iraq's oil industry, and home to a volatile mix of Kurds, Arabs, Christians and members of the Turkmen community. | The city is the centre of northern Iraq's oil industry, and home to a volatile mix of Kurds, Arabs, Christians and members of the Turkmen community. |
| Sunni insurgents and groups including al-Qaeda remain active in the area despite security improvements in other parts of the country, correspondents say. | Sunni insurgents and groups including al-Qaeda remain active in the area despite security improvements in other parts of the country, correspondents say. |
| Both American and Iraqi commanders have warned they expect al-Qaeda in Iraq and other groups to attempt to re-ignite sectarian tensions. | Both American and Iraqi commanders have warned they expect al-Qaeda in Iraq and other groups to attempt to re-ignite sectarian tensions. |
| Despite their pullback from cities and towns, US troops will still be embedded with Iraqi forces. | Despite their pullback from cities and towns, US troops will still be embedded with Iraqi forces. |
| Hours before the Monday night deadline for the withdrawal, four US soldiers were killed in combat in Baghdad. | Hours before the Monday night deadline for the withdrawal, four US soldiers were killed in combat in Baghdad. |
| US commanders have said security and stability is improving, and that Iraqi forces are now ready to take over security operations. | US commanders have said security and stability is improving, and that Iraqi forces are now ready to take over security operations. |
| Prime Minister Nouri Maliki assured Iraqis on Tuesday that government forces taking over from the Americans were more than capable of ensuring security. | |
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| US soldier on leaving Iraq's town centres | |
| "Those who think that Iraqis are not able to protect their country and that the withdrawal of foreign forces will create a security vacuum are committing a big mistake," he said in a nationally televised address. | |
| Iraqi soldiers paraded through Baghdad's streets on Monday in vehicles decorated with flowers and Iraqi flags, while patriotic songs were played through loudspeakers at checkpoints. | Iraqi soldiers paraded through Baghdad's streets on Monday in vehicles decorated with flowers and Iraqi flags, while patriotic songs were played through loudspeakers at checkpoints. |
| The pullback comes two years after the US "surge" of extra troops between February and June 2007, which saw US troop levels in Iraq reach about 170,000. | The pullback comes two years after the US "surge" of extra troops between February and June 2007, which saw US troop levels in Iraq reach about 170,000. |
| US-led combat operations are due to end by September 2010, with all troops gone from Iraq by the end of 2011. | US-led combat operations are due to end by September 2010, with all troops gone from Iraq by the end of 2011. |
| Some 131,000 US troops remain in Iraq, including 12 combat brigades, and the total is not expected to drop below 128,000 until after the Iraqi national election in January. | Some 131,000 US troops remain in Iraq, including 12 combat brigades, and the total is not expected to drop below 128,000 until after the Iraqi national election in January. |
| Are you in Kirkuk? Have you been caught up in events? Send us your comments using the form below: | Are you in Kirkuk? Have you been caught up in events? Send us your comments using the form below: |
| A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |