Baghdad:
A car bomb exploded on the perimeter of Baghdad's heavily guarded international airport complex on Sunday, wounding five people, security sources said.
The blast occurred at a security checkpoint close to a parking lot where passengers are searched before boarding airport taxis, three sources said.
The checkpoint is several kilometres from the terminal building.
It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the attack. An airport official said authorities tightened security while air traffic was normal.
Around two hours later, a roadside bomb exploded in a commercial area of Baghdad about five kilometers (three miles) from the airport. Three people were killed and seven wounded, said security sources and medics.
OPEC oil producer Iraq is facing its worst crisis since a U.S.-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003.
Islamic State militants who swept through the north of the country in June and hold large parts of western Iraq have claimed responsibility for suicide bombings and other attacks in Baghdad and further afield.
The presence of the Sunni insurgents has fueled sectarian tensions, deepening a security crisis and drawing U.S. air strikes after Western hostages were beheaded.
The air campaign, which includes neighbouring Syria, has helped prevent any further Islamic State advances in recent weeks.
The United States' top military officer told American troops on a surprise visit to Baghdad on Saturday that the momentum in the battle with Islamic State was "starting to turn", but predicted a drawn-out campaign lasting several years.
The blast occurred at a security checkpoint close to a parking lot where passengers are searched before boarding airport taxis, three sources said.
The checkpoint is several kilometres from the terminal building.
It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the attack. An airport official said authorities tightened security while air traffic was normal.
Around two hours later, a roadside bomb exploded in a commercial area of Baghdad about five kilometers (three miles) from the airport. Three people were killed and seven wounded, said security sources and medics.
OPEC oil producer Iraq is facing its worst crisis since a U.S.-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003.
Islamic State militants who swept through the north of the country in June and hold large parts of western Iraq have claimed responsibility for suicide bombings and other attacks in Baghdad and further afield.
The presence of the Sunni insurgents has fueled sectarian tensions, deepening a security crisis and drawing U.S. air strikes after Western hostages were beheaded.
The air campaign, which includes neighbouring Syria, has helped prevent any further Islamic State advances in recent weeks.
The United States' top military officer told American troops on a surprise visit to Baghdad on Saturday that the momentum in the battle with Islamic State was "starting to turn", but predicted a drawn-out campaign lasting several years.
© Thomson Reuters 2014
