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Iraq: Deadly explosions target Kurdish city of Irbil Iraq: Deadly explosions target Kurdish city of Irbil
(about 1 hour later)
A series of explosions has rocked Irbil, the capital of Iraq's autonomous province of Kurdistan, killing six members of the security services.A series of explosions has rocked Irbil, the capital of Iraq's autonomous province of Kurdistan, killing six members of the security services.
A number of car bombs and suicide bombers targeted the security forces HQ and the interior ministry.A number of car bombs and suicide bombers targeted the security forces HQ and the interior ministry.
Irbil is in a stable part of Iraq and the region has not witnessed such attacks in the past six years.Irbil is in a stable part of Iraq and the region has not witnessed such attacks in the past six years.
The blasts come a day after results were announced in the region's parliamentary elections.The blasts come a day after results were announced in the region's parliamentary elections.
The main opposition Gorran (Change) party moved into second place, ahead of President Jalal Talabani's party.The main opposition Gorran (Change) party moved into second place, ahead of President Jalal Talabani's party.
His Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) had shared power in the previous government with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which won most votes in the latest election.His Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) had shared power in the previous government with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which won most votes in the latest election.
'Bombers killed''Bombers killed'
At least 36 people were reported wounded in Sunday's explosions. TV images showed black smoke rising high above the city and emergency vehicles racing to the scene, which was sealed off by security services.At least 36 people were reported wounded in Sunday's explosions. TV images showed black smoke rising high above the city and emergency vehicles racing to the scene, which was sealed off by security services.
Nozad Hadi, the governor of Irbil province, told AFP news agency that the victims were members of the Kurdish "asayesh" security services.Nozad Hadi, the governor of Irbil province, told AFP news agency that the victims were members of the Kurdish "asayesh" security services.
The region does not usually experience the violence common elsewhere in the country.The region does not usually experience the violence common elsewhere in the country.
A spokesman for Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki was quoted as saying the attacks could be linked to fighting between jihadists and Kurds across the border in Syria.A spokesman for Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki was quoted as saying the attacks could be linked to fighting between jihadists and Kurds across the border in Syria.
That view was echoed by Iraqi security analyst Ali al-Haidari who told AFP news agency the attack was "al-Nusra Front's revenge against the Kurds inside Kurdistan".That view was echoed by Iraqi security analyst Ali al-Haidari who told AFP news agency the attack was "al-Nusra Front's revenge against the Kurds inside Kurdistan".
The conflict in neighbouring Syria has caused thousands of Syrian Kurdish refugees to flee across the border into northern Iraq.The conflict in neighbouring Syria has caused thousands of Syrian Kurdish refugees to flee across the border into northern Iraq.
Reports of Sunday's attack described a car bomber who tried to ram a checkpoint leading to a complex housing the interior ministry and a number of security agencies.Reports of Sunday's attack described a car bomber who tried to ram a checkpoint leading to a complex housing the interior ministry and a number of security agencies.
Minutes later another bomber struck driving an explosive-rigged ambulance, followed by attacks by gunmen on foot.Minutes later another bomber struck driving an explosive-rigged ambulance, followed by attacks by gunmen on foot.
A statement reportedly published on the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) website cited witnesses as saying five would-be suicide bombers had been killed before they were able to blow themselves up.A statement reportedly published on the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) website cited witnesses as saying five would-be suicide bombers had been killed before they were able to blow themselves up.
In a separate development, a suicide bomber attacked Shia mourners in a mosque in the town of Mussayab, south of the capital Baghdad, killing at least 25 people.
Many of the deaths were caused when part of the mosque's roof fell in, eyewitnesses said.
Sectarian violence has surged across Iraq in recent months, reaching its highest level since 2008.