11 killed in Kirkuk attack

At least 11 people were killed and 54 wounded when a suicide bomber struck a Kurdish rally in the northern Iraq city of Kirkuk, officials said.

Police and hospital officials said the attack occurred as demonstrators gathered to protest over a draft provincial elections law which is being debated in parliament.

Kurdish objections to a proposed power-sharing formula on the provincial council in Kirkuk have blocked the law from being passed.

Kirkuk is in an oil-rich area and many Kurds consider it to be part of their historical land. The area is home to Kurds, Turkomen, Arabs and smaller groups.