Suicide Attack Kills 18 in Northern Iraq

At least 18 people lost their lives when a suicide attacker drove his bomb laden truck into the headquarters of the Iraqi National Guards in the northern Iraq city of Kerkuk (Kirkuk). At least 18 people died in the blast, most of whom were hopefuls looking to join the force.

Elsewhere, two US soldiers were killed in a bomb attack in Bagdat (Baghdad), while three people, including a child, lost their lives in attacks in Felluce (Fallujah), Hille and Latifiye.

Meanwhile, Al Jazeera TV announced that an Iraqi organization took 10 people working for a Turkish-American company hostage. The kidnappers threatened to kill the hostages if their company does not withdraw from Iraq within 72 hours.

The video broadcast by Al Jazeera shows the hostages holding their identity cards while sitting in front of masked men.

In other developments, Turkish truck drivers who are not being allowed to travel between the cities of Zaho and Suleymaniye are seeking help from officials.

Turkish trucker Ahmet Turkeri explained that peshmergas stopped the truckers between Zaho and Suleymaniye and refused to allow them to continue. Turkeri said that the truckers are stuck because they are unable to return.