4 killed in Iraq attacks

2013-02-21 12:00

(File, AP)

Baghdad - At least four people were killed on Thursday in two separate attacks north of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, said police, amid rising sectarian and political tensions in the country.

Three soldiers were killed and five injured when unknown gunmen attacked a security checkpoint in al-Dulaya, 170km north of Baghdad.

One civilian was killed and seven wounded in a bomb blast in Baquba, 60km north-east of Baghdad, police said.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Iraq has seen a recent surge in violence targeting Shiite Muslims and security forces, as tensions between the Shi'ite-led government and the Sunni minority widen.

Sunnis have for two months been calling on Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who is a Shi'ite, to repeal laws they say are used to target them.

- SAPA