Five killed and 18 wounded in series of explosions in Iraq

Six improvised bombs went off in the northern city of Kirkuk

A vehicle of the Iraqi Federal police is seen on a street in Kirkuk, Iraq. REUTERS

At least five people have been killed and 18 wounded in explosions in the Iraqi oil city of Kirkuk on Thursday.

At least six improvised explosive devices went off in the northern city and two more were defused by security forces, the Iraqi military said.

The bombs exploded at two malls, an ice cream shop and a butcher’s shop.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility but ISIS militants are active in the area.

Iraq declared victory over the group, which once held large areas of the country, in December 2017.

But ISIS has switched to guerrilla attacks to undermine the Iraqi government.

Its fighters have regrouped in the Hamrin mountains, which extend from Diyala province on the border with Iran, crossing northern Salahuddin province and southern Kirkuk.