1 police dies, 4 injured in northern Iraq attack

By Ali Mukarrem Garip

KIRKUK, Iraq (AA) – One police died and four others were injured in an armed attack by unknown assailants in northern Iraq’s oil rich Kirkuk province, a security official said on late Thursday.

A group of unknown assailants attacked a check point, formed by anti-terror police of the central Iraqi government, in the Shorka neighbourhood of Kirkuk province, the source said.

On Sept. 25, Iraqis in KRG-controlled-held areas -- and in several disputed parts of the country -- voted on whether or not to declare independence from the Iraqi state.

According to poll results announced by the KRG, almost 93 percent of those who cast ballots voted in favor of independence.

The illegitimate referendum faced sharp opposition from most regional and international actors (including the U.S., Turkey and Iran), who warned that the poll would distract from Iraq’s fight against terrorism and further destabilize the region.

In response to last month’s referendum, the Iraqi armed forces this week were deployed in Kirkuk and other disputed areas following the withdrawal of Kurdish Peshmerga forces.