Car bomb blast in Iraqi Kurdish city

A suicide car bomber has killed at least four people in the Iraqi Kurdish capital, Irbil, local media say.

The blast, accompanied by gunfire, was reported outside the governor’s office, close to the historic citadel in the city centre.

Iraqi Kurds and Iraqi government forces have been battling an advance by Islamic State (IS) militants, but Irbil has largely avoided major attacks.

The oil city has a reputation as a safe base for foreigners.

The bomb exploded just before midday on Wednesday at the main checkpoint outside the governor’s building, an official told AFP news agency.

Images from the scene showed burnt vehicles and a bloodstain on the pavement.

BBC