Eight Iraqi soldiers killed in attack north of Baghdad

Eight Iraqi soldiers have died and another 17 have been injured in an attack on a checkpoint north of Baghdad this morning.

The attack happened in Adhaim, on the main road between Baghdad and Kirkuk, when a large number of gunmen opened fire on the checkpoint with heavy machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades.

The gunmen also opened fire on reinforcements who were sent to the scene, sparking a gun battle that lasted more than four hours.