Iraq bomb death toll rises to 16

Two truck bombs struck separate communities north of Iraq’s capital, Baghdad, today, killing at least 16 people in the latest attacks that indicate insurgents are targeting relatively unprotected areas as security forces focus on defending the cities.

Fifteen people were also wounded in the attack, said the police official.

The Iraqi government is eager to demonstrate it can protect the population following the withdrawal of US combat troops from urban areas nearly two months ago.

But a recent series of high-profile bombings that have killed hundreds in both major cities and remote areas has raised concerns Iraqi forces are not up to the task.

Today’s deadliest attack came at about 8am when a suicide truck bomber attacked a small police station in the remote village of Hamad north of Baghdad, killing at least 12 people, including six police, said officials from the Iraqi army and police.

Police attempted to stop the truck, opening fire and forcing the attacker to change direction and slam into a concrete barrier near a market, they said.

The blast damaged the police station and a number of nearby homes and shops, the officials said.