At least 175 people have been killed in a series of suicide bomb attacks in northern Iraq, Iraq's military says.
At least 175 people have been killed in a series of suicide bomb attacks in northern Iraq, Iraq's military says.
The blasts apparently targeted a Kurdish religious minority, the Yazidi sect, near Mosul. At least four blasts hit areas which house the community.
The blasts apparently targeted a Kurdish religious minority, the Yazidi sect, near Mosul. At least four blasts hit areas which house the community.
A Mosul police source told the BBC that there had been "large loss of life".
A Mosul police source told the BBC that there had been "large loss of life".
Tensions between the sect and local Muslims have grown since a Yazidi girl was reportedly stoned by her community in April for converting to Islam.
Tensions between the sect and local Muslims have grown since a Yazidi girl was reportedly stoned by her community in April for converting to Islam.
Officials said at least one of the attacks near Mosul involved a fuel tanker.
Officials said at least one of the attacks near Mosul involved a fuel tanker.
MAJOR ATTACKS IN 2007 14 August: At least 175 reported dead in attacks on Yazidi sect near Mosul16 July: At least 85 die in twin bombings in Kirkuk7 July: 130 killed in Amirli market bombing19 June: At least 78 die in Baghdad mosque blast18 April: Up to 200 killed in car bombings in Baghdad6 March: At least 90 killed in double suicide bombing in Hilla3 Feb: At least 130 die in suicide lorry blast in Baghdad22 Jan: 88 killed by Baghdad car bombs
MAJOR ATTACKS IN 2007 14 August: At least 175 reported dead in attacks on Yazidi sect near Mosul16 July: At least 85 die in twin bombings in Kirkuk7 July: 130 killed in Amirli market bombing19 June: At least 78 die in Baghdad mosque blast18 April: Up to 200 killed in car bombings in Baghdad6 March: At least 90 killed in double suicide bombing in Hilla3 Feb: At least 130 die in suicide lorry blast in Baghdad22 Jan: 88 killed by Baghdad car bombs
Up to 200 other people were hurt in the blasts, which destroyed or set fire to a number of buildings.
Up to 200 other people were hurt in the blasts, which destroyed or set fire to a number of buildings.
The attacks are among the worst carried out in Iraq during the insurgency.
The attacks are among the worst carried out in Iraq during the insurgency.
Members of the Yazidi community worship an archangel, sometimes represented by a peacock figure. Some Christians and Muslims believe the angel they revere to be the devil.
Members of the Yazidi community worship an archangel, sometimes represented by a peacock figure. Some Christians and Muslims believe the angel they revere to be the devil.
Helicopter crash
Helicopter crash
Elsewhere, five US service personnel were killed when their helicopter came down near Falluja, west of Baghdad.
Elsewhere, five US service personnel were killed when their helicopter came down near Falluja, west of Baghdad.
The US said it was still investigating the cause of the crash, but the CH-47 Chinook had been on a test flight after routine maintenance.
The US said it was still investigating the cause of the crash, but the CH-47 Chinook had been on a test flight after routine maintenance.
The US had already announced the deaths of four other soldiers in two separate incidents in Nineveh province and Baghdad.
The US had already announced the deaths of four other soldiers in two separate incidents in Nineveh province and Baghdad.
A separate suicide bomb attack on a Baghdad bridge, meanwhile, sent cars plunging into the water and killed at least 10 people, Iraqi police said.
A separate suicide bomb attack on a Baghdad bridge, meanwhile, sent cars plunging into the water and killed at least 10 people, Iraqi police said.
The Thiraa Dijla bridge in Taji lies on the main road from Baghdad to Mosul.
The Thiraa Dijla bridge in Taji lies on the main road from Baghdad to Mosul.
Fresh attacks
Fresh attacks
In another insurgent attack in the capital, some 50 gunmen in uniform were reported to have kidnapped a deputy oil minister and several other officials.
In another insurgent attack in the capital, some 50 gunmen in uniform were reported to have kidnapped a deputy oil minister and several other officials.
Reports said the men stormed an oil ministry compound in the capital in 17 official vehicles.
Reports said the men stormed an oil ministry compound in the capital in 17 official vehicles.
The US military also said on Tuesday that its troops had killed four gunmen in Baghdad's Sadr City. But local officials said three civilians died in the raid.
The US military also said on Tuesday that its troops had killed four gunmen in Baghdad's Sadr City. But local officials said three civilians died in the raid.
They said one of the victims was a young girl sleeping with her family on the roof.
They said one of the victims was a young girl sleeping with her family on the roof.
The US military denied killing any civilians in the raid.
The US military denied killing any civilians in the raid.
Political move
Political move
Separately, three Iraqi ministers from the mixed Sunni-Shia Iraqi National List of former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi unexpectedly attended a government session.
Separately, three Iraqi ministers from the mixed Sunni-Shia Iraqi National List of former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi unexpectedly attended a government session.
They were among five ministers who last week began the boycott of Nouri Maliki's government over what they said was its failure to end sectarian violence.
They were among five ministers who last week began the boycott of Nouri Maliki's government over what they said was its failure to end sectarian violence.
The move comes as politicians from some of Iraq's main political parties are holding informal talks ahead of a summit called this week by Mr Maliki to try to resolve their differences.
The move comes as politicians from some of Iraq's main political parties are holding informal talks ahead of a summit called this week by Mr Maliki to try to resolve their differences.
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