Iraq: Clashes, attacks kill at least 22 people
Clashes between Iraqi government forces and militants along with attacks in the capital Baghdad on Wednesday killed at least 22 people and wounded dozens, officials said.
Heavy clashes erupted in three separate areas outside the city of Tikrit, which is controlled by the Islamic State extremist group, killing 12 security forces, Shiite militiamen and civilians, and wounding 37 others, a police official said. He added that three suicide truck bombers attacked the security forces during the clashes.
Militants claimed responsibility for three suicide attacks in a statement posted on a Twitter account frequently used by the extremist group. It said the attacks were carried out by French, Syrian and Qatari fighters, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors militant forums.
