State of emergency declared in Kirkuk after string of explosions

[maddezmom]

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A wave of seven suicide car bombs and explosions rocked the oil-rich city of Kirkuk on Sunday, killing at least 27 people and wounding 97 others, police said.

The restive northern city -- considered a likely flash point for sectarian violence because of its combustible mix of Kurds, Arabs and Turkomens -- declared a state of emergency and hastily erected dozens of checkpoints to thwart further attacks, police Maj. Jalal Mahmood Aras said.

~snip~

Also Sunday, tribal leaders in Anbar province denied news reports that local chieftains had gathered recently and agreed to join forces to fight al-Qaida.

Sheik Hamad Mishaan Fahadawi, a senior leader of the Albu Fahad, one of the biggest tribes in Ramadi, said: "The American army has confiscated all the weapons of the tribesmen. We have nothing but shotguns. So how can we fight al-Qaida?"

more:http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/15547035.htm?source=rss&channel=cctimes_news

[Supersedeas]

1. Nothing to see here: baby nappings and more Bush speeches for you

[warrens]

2. Everything is under control in Kirkuk

It's just parts of Baghdad and the Triangle of Death that are problems. Otherwise, the Iraquis are fat and happy, and pretty soon they WILL start throwing those flowers and chocolates. Or we'll shoot them.