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Iraqi city of Kirkuk hit by deadly bombings | Iraqi city of Kirkuk hit by deadly bombings |
(40 minutes later) | |
Bombs targeting security forces in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk have left at least 17 people dead and injured dozens more, officials say. | Bombs targeting security forces in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk have left at least 17 people dead and injured dozens more, officials say. |
There were reports of at least three bombs, with two exploding in quick succession near a police station. | There were reports of at least three bombs, with two exploding in quick succession near a police station. |
Many of the casualties were police officers who rushed outside after the first bomb went off, one official said. | Many of the casualties were police officers who rushed outside after the first bomb went off, one official said. |
Kirkuk, about 180 miles (290km) north of Baghdad, has seen violence linked to ethnic divisions in the past. | Kirkuk, about 180 miles (290km) north of Baghdad, has seen violence linked to ethnic divisions in the past. |
Ethnic divide | |
Thursday morning's attacks were the most deadly the city has seen for some months. | Thursday morning's attacks were the most deadly the city has seen for some months. |
Some accounts put the death toll as high as 25, with more than 50 people wounded. | Some accounts put the death toll as high as 25, with more than 50 people wounded. |
About an hour after the explosions near the police station, a third blast nearby was reported to have targeted the convoy of a senior police official, injuring a number of officers. | About an hour after the explosions near the police station, a third blast nearby was reported to have targeted the convoy of a senior police official, injuring a number of officers. |
The bombs badly damaged buildings, and charred cars could be seen flipped onto their roofs. | The bombs badly damaged buildings, and charred cars could be seen flipped onto their roofs. |
Kirkuk lies in an oil-rich and ethnically divided area where Kurdish authorities are vying for control with the central government in Baghdad. | Kirkuk lies in an oil-rich and ethnically divided area where Kurdish authorities are vying for control with the central government in Baghdad. |
The city is populated by Kurds, Arabs and Turkomen. | The city is populated by Kurds, Arabs and Turkomen. |
US forces, who are due to withdraw from Iraq later this year, have been conducting tripartite patrols in Kirkuk with central government forces and Kurdish authorities. | US forces, who are due to withdraw from Iraq later this year, have been conducting tripartite patrols in Kirkuk with central government forces and Kurdish authorities. |
While violence has decreased in Iraq in the last few years, attacks are still frequent and government or security officials are often targets. | While violence has decreased in Iraq in the last few years, attacks are still frequent and government or security officials are often targets. |