Twin bomb blasts kill 17 in central Iraq

Two consecutive bomb attacks have rocked the capital of Iraq’s central province of Anbar, leaving at least 17 people dead.

An explosion occurred on Monday when a bomber blew up the minibus he was driving near a government compound in the central city of Ramadi, the Asscociated Press quoted provioncial spokesman Mohammed Fathi as saying.

The compound reportedly houses the provincial council as well as Anbar’s police headquarters.

A second bomb blast followed a few minutes later when a man detonated his explosive vest some 500 meters away.

Anbar Governor Qassim Mohammed put the casualties from the attacks at seven dead and 28 wounded.

But a police official at the sit of the explosions said the death toll had risen to 17.

Most of the killed are police officers and 47 people have been wounded, he said on condition of anonymity, adding the blasts were caused by two successive vehicle bombs.