Six security officials were killed on Saturday in an attack near the northern city of Kirkuk, local media reports said, as polling stations opened for the country's first elections since the rise of ISIS.
Security threats remain a key concern in Iraq's northern and Sunni areas where ISIS continues to carry out attacks on civilians and members of the security forces.
"The armed gunmen attacked checkpoints of the federal police near the village of Saadouniyah, 35 kilometers southwest of Kirkuk, killing four members of the federal police, two of Hashed Al Shaabi and wounding two others," Al Arabiya reported.
No affiliation was given to the gunmen but ISIS had threatened to attack polling stations before the vote.
The oil-rich city of Kirkuk is one of Iraq’s most diverse cities, home to Iraqi Arabs, Turkmen, Christians and Kurds.
In an audio message last month, an ISIS spokesman said anyone who participates in the vote would be considered an infidel, or a disbeliever.
"We warn you, Sunnis of Iraq, of these people [Shiites] taking power. Polling stations are a target for us, so stay away from them," Abu Al Hassan Al Muhajer said.
Saturday’s polls are the first to be held since Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi declared victory over the terror group last December. The elections are also the fourth parliamentary elections since the fall of former dictator Saddam Hussien in 2003.
Although the premier had declared victory against the terror group, he admitted last month that the country is still engaged in a fight against ISIS sleeper cells.
Mr Al Abadi said that he would “take necessary measurements” against the insurgents “if they threaten the security of Iraq”.
He pledged to send more forces to Kirkuk to “continue clearing operations”.
Meanwhile, clashes have been reported in the Shiite city of Najaf between supporters of the Saairun coalition, led by Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr, and Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi's Victory Alliance.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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The five pillars of Islam
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RACE SCHEDULE
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday, September 29
First practice: 7am - 8.30am
Second practice: 11am - 12.30pm
Saturday, September 30
Qualifying: 1pm - 2pm
Sunday, October 1
Race: 11am - 1pm
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
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Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
- 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
- 2nd Test Thursday-Monday at Colombo
- 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
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New process leads to panic among jobseekers
As a UAE-based travel agent who processes tourist visas from the Philippines, Jennifer Pacia Gado is fielding a lot of calls from concerned travellers just now. And they are all asking the same question.
“My clients are mostly Filipinos, and they [all want to know] about good conduct certificates,” says the 34-year-old Filipina, who has lived in the UAE for five years.
Ms Gado contacted the Philippines Embassy to get more information on the certificate so she can share it with her clients. She says many are worried about the process and associated costs – which could be as high as Dh500 to obtain and attest a good conduct certificate from the Philippines for jobseekers already living in the UAE.
“They are worried about this because when they arrive here without the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] clearance, it is a hassle because it takes time,” she says.
“They need to go first to the embassy to apply for the application of the NBI clearance. After that they have go to the police station [in the UAE] for the fingerprints. And then they will apply for the special power of attorney so that someone can finish the process in the Philippines. So it is a long process and more expensive if you are doing it from here.”
Dubai World Cup nominations
UAE: Thunder Snow/Saeed bin Suroor (trainer), North America/Satish Seemar, Drafted/Doug Watson, New Trails/Ahmad bin Harmash, Capezzano, Gronkowski, Axelrod, all trained by Salem bin Ghadayer
USA: Seeking The Soul/Dallas Stewart, Imperial Hunt/Luis Carvajal Jr, Audible/Todd Pletcher, Roy H/Peter Miller, Yoshida/William Mott, Promises Fulfilled/Dale Romans, Gunnevera/Antonio Sano, XY Jet/Jorge Navarro, Pavel/Doug O’Neill, Switzerland/Steve Asmussen.
Japan: Matera Sky/Hideyuki Mori, KT Brace/Haruki Sugiyama. Bahrain: Nine Below Zero/Fawzi Nass. Ireland: Tato Key/David Marnane. Hong Kong: Fight Hero/Me Tsui. South Korea: Dolkong/Simon Foster.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
If you go...
Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).
Bullet%20Train
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Players Selected for La Liga Trials
U18 Age Group
Name: Ahmed Salam (Malaga)
Position: Right Wing
Nationality: Jordanian
Name: Yahia Iraqi (Malaga)
Position: Left Wing
Nationality: Morocco
Name: Mohammed Bouherrafa (Almeria)
Position: Centre-Midfield
Nationality: French
Name: Mohammed Rajeh (Cadiz)
Position: Striker
Nationality: Jordanian
U16 Age Group
Name: Mehdi Elkhamlichi (Malaga)
Position: Lead Striker
Nationality: Morocco
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Match info
Liverpool 4
Salah (19'), Mane (45 2', 53'), Sturridge (87')
West Ham United 0