Iraq attacks strike Sunni forces

The Baquba funeral procession prior to the blast
that killed 10 people [AFP]

At least 20 people have been killed and scores wounded by a truck bomb in the oil refining city of Baiji in northern Iraq. Hours later a suicide bomber wearing a vest packed with explosives struck a funeral in Baquba, killing 10 people. Both attacks on Tuesday appear to have targeted Sunni armed groups that have been working with the US.

The bomber in Baiji detonated his explosives when police and members al-Sahwa (The Awakening Council) prevented him from entering the gate of a compound housing employees of state-run North Oil Company.

Major-General Abdul-Karim Khalaf, an interior ministry spokesman, said the bomber's target was the checkpoint, manned by members of a local neighbourhood watch and the Oil Protection Force, rather than the residential complex.

Read More