SALADIN, Iraq
Seven people were killed and at least 40 injured on Saturday by a suicide bombing in Iraq’s Saladin province, which, local security sources say, was carried out by the Daesh militant group.
According to the sources, the suicide bomber blew himself up at a swimming pool in the town of Tuz Khurmatu, which is known for its large Turkmen population.
As people attempted to flee the scene, a second explosive device reportedly exploded nearby, the same sources added.
The injured were taken to local hospitals in the town and in the adjacent Kirkuk province.
Saturday’s attack was aimed at the Turkmen population, the head of Iraqi Turkmen Front Kirkuk Province Kasım Kazanci has told Anadolu Agency.
Kazanci blamed the Iraqi central government for failing to provide adequate security in the country: "Our demand from the central government is for it to allow the establishment of a legitimate security force that consists of the Turkmen people. This force should be established as soon as possible to protect the region and people," he said.
Although Daesh recently lost several parts of Iraq’s Diyala, Nineveh and Saladin provinces, the group remains in control of most of the western Anbar Province, including provincial capital Ramadi.
Since June of last year, when Daesh overran the northern Mosul province and other territories, the country has seen frequent clashes between the militant group and Iraqi forces.
