BAGHDAD A rocket attack killed six people and wounded nine others overnight at a sports stadium in oil-rich Kirkuk, north of Baghdad, Iraqi security forces said Sunday.
“Six civilians were killed and nine others were wounded in an attack with rocket-propelled grenades and medium-grade weapons,” they said in a statement.
It said the attack targeted a football stadium in Daquq in the ethnically diverse province of Kirkuk.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but security forces pointed the finger at Daesh “terrorist gangs.”
Iraq announced victory against Daesh in late 2017 after three years of ferocious fighting backed by paramilitary forces and the US-led air coalition.
But Daesh sleeper cells still carry out hit-and-run attacks, particularly in vast desert regions of northern and western Iraq near the porous border with Syria.
Those regions have long seen ethnic and religious tensions, with communities there remaining at odds over territory and oil.
On Sunday, the head of the Turkmen Front cast doubt on Daesh’s involvement.
“The targeting of Daquq is political par excellence, to create instability and impose political wills,” said Iraqi MP Arshad Al-Salehi.
Rocket attack kills six in Iraq’s oil-rich Kirkuk
Rocket attack kills six in Iraq’s oil-rich Kirkuk
- The attack occurred late Saturday in the village of Daquq
- The area of the attack is controlled by the Popular Mobilization Forces
GCC states ‘face reliance on Saudi Arabia for food imports’
- With 70 percent of food coming through Strait of Hormuz, analysts warn of inevitable shortages
DUBAI: Some Gulf states may have to rely on overland food deliveries from Saudi Arabia if the US-Israel-Iran war continues to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and restrict regional airspace, analysts warned on Thursday.
The region is up to 90 percent dependent on food imports, and price surges and scarcity of some goods are expected.
“With over 70 percent of GCC foodstuffs being imported through the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf states face shortages if the war persists,” said Neil Quilliam of the Chatham House think tank.
“While GCC countries have taken steps to diversify suppliers and ensure sufficient stores to withstand disruption, this can only last several months. At this point, price increases and longer lead times will start to hit the markets.”
Commodities analyst Ishan Bhanu said: “The biggest immediate effect will be due to the blockade of Jebel Ali in Dubai, serving about 50 million people. Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Iraq effectively become landlocked and will depend on overland routes through Saudi Arabia.”
Bottlenecks are yet to show and the UAE has said its strategic reserves of vital goods cover four to six months of needs. It urged residents to report unjustified price increases through a dedicated hotline.
Supermarket staff throughout the Gulf said shelves remain largely stocked, though suppliers are taking longer to replenish certain products. Iran’s strikes on the Gulf since Saturday prompted panic buying in supermarkets, a dry run for what could come.
“Perception of risk matters, and even if stocks are sufficient now, public runs on supermarkets can spook the public,” Quilliam said.
