Iraq blasts kill at least five in Kirkuk

GlobalPost

A string of explosions hit the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk today, killing several, according to Reuters

More from GlobalPost: Syrian planes strike Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp near Damascus

The exact death toll was not immediately clear, with Reuters reporting six dead and Al Jazeera five. 

Bombs struck two Shia religious sites in the city today, said Al Jazeera, while a separate attack on a Kurdish party office north of Baghdad reportedly took the lives of two security force trainees. 

Kirkuk, a majority Kurdish city, is the scene of ongoing negotiations between the Kurds and Iraqi government over disputed oil payments. 

The area contains some of the world's largest known oil reserves. 

Help keep The World going strong!

The article you just read is free because dedicated readers and listeners like you chose to support our nonprofit newsroom. Our team works tirelessly to ensure you hear the latest in international, human-centered reporting every weekday. But our work would not be possible without you. We need your help.

Make a gift today to help us reach our $25,000 goal and keep The World going strong. Every gift will get us one step closer.