Neighbour Turkey is treating a number of casualties from Saturday’s deadly truck bomb blast in Iraq. From Kirkuk, over 20 people were flown to Turkish hospitals. US soldiers as well as Turkish troops and medical staff were involved in the evacuation. There is confusion over just how many died in the attack. Estimates vary from 115 to 150.

It happened in a town mostly inhabited by Shi’ites from Iraq’s Turkoman ethnic minority. Ankara feels special responsibility for this community. A crowded market was targeted in Armili. Afterwards, some said it looked like there had been an earthquake.

It is thought insurgents may have moved further north amid a US-backed security offensive in and around Baghdad. Violence on Sunday in Iraq left dozens more dead. Some leading politicians are now urging civilians to take up arms to defend themselves. However the defiant message is likely to bring little comfort to those who have already lost everything.

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