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Iraq violence: 'Dozens dead' in Kirkuk police HQ attack Iraq violence: 'Many dead' in Kirkuk police HQ attack
(35 minutes later)
At least 30 people have been killed as a suicide bomber and gunmen attacked a police headquarters in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk, police say. At least 16 people have been killed as a suicide bomber and gunmen attacked a police headquarters in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk, police say.
A city official told AFP news agency that militants had tried to seize the compound but were unsuccessful. Officials said militants had tried to seize the compound after a bomb exploded at the gates, but were unsuccessful. A police chief was hurt.
No group has said it carried out the attack.No group has said it carried out the attack.
Kirkuk is ethnically mixed, and at the centre of a dispute between the Iraqi government and Kurds over oil and land rights. Kirkuk is ethnically mixed, and at the centre of a dispute between Baghdad and the Kurds over oil and land rights.
Two weeks ago at least 10 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack on the offices of the Kurdish Democratic Party in the city.Two weeks ago at least 10 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack on the offices of the Kurdish Democratic Party in the city.
Sunni insurgents linked to al-Qaeda have been blamed for much of the recent violence in Iraq.Sunni insurgents linked to al-Qaeda have been blamed for much of the recent violence in Iraq.
However, there has been a relative calm in recent days.However, there has been a relative calm in recent days.
The attack took place during morning rush hour in the centre of Kirkuk, police Brig-Gen Natah Mohammed Sabr told AFP. 'Terrifying' explosion
At least 70 people were injured as militants reportedly dressed in police uniforms and armed with guns, grenades and suicide vests rushed the main gate of the headquarters after a bomb was detonated. The attack took place at around 09:15 local time (06:15 GMT) in the centre of Kirkuk.
They threw grenades but were killed before they reached the building of the headquarters. "I saw a vehicle stop at the checkpoint at the main entrance, and the police started checking it," eyewitness Kosrat Hassan Karim told the AFP news agency.
The attack caused massive damage to nearby buildings, Brig-Gen Sabr added. "Suddenly, a loud explosion happened, it was terrifying."
Two militants reportedly dressed in police uniforms and armed with guns, grenades and suicide vests rushed the main gate of the headquarters after the bomb was detonated.
One was killed immediately by police. They tried to dismantle the other's suicide vest but were unsuccessful, so they shot him dead, reports said.
At least 80 people were injured including local police chief Brigadier Sarhad Qader, whose condition is described as stable.
First reports said the death toll had been as high as 30.
The attack caused massive damage to nearby buildings.
Traffic in the city centre was stopped, and offices in the area were evacuated.Traffic in the city centre was stopped, and offices in the area were evacuated.
With its massive oil reserves, Kirkuk is the most bitterly contested of Iraq's disputed territories.With its massive oil reserves, Kirkuk is the most bitterly contested of Iraq's disputed territories.
It houses a mixture of Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen.It houses a mixture of Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen.
The Kurds want to incorporate it into their largely autonomous region, while Arabs and Turkmen oppose any change to its current status, ruled directly from Baghdad.The Kurds want to incorporate it into their largely autonomous region, while Arabs and Turkmen oppose any change to its current status, ruled directly from Baghdad.
Correspondents say militants often exploit differences between the Iraqi and Kurdish security forces by launching deadly attacks in the city.Correspondents say militants often exploit differences between the Iraqi and Kurdish security forces by launching deadly attacks in the city.