Iraq: Bomb and gun attack in Kirkuk leaves seven police officers dead

The incident occurred about 293km (182 miles) from the capital Baghdad.

At least two roadside bombs struck a federal police patrol near the town of al-Riyadh in the south of the provincial capital Kirkuk, some 250 km north of the national capital Baghdad, Major General Abdullah al-Abbasi told Xinhua.

Reinforcements arrived at the scene and clashed with IS militants, killing one member, al-Abbasi said, adding that the troops searched the area and launched an investigation into the incident.

Over the past months, Iraqi security forces have conducted operations against extremist militants to crack down on their intensified activities.

The security situation in Iraq has been improving since the defeat of the IS in 2017. However, its remnants have since melted into urban centers, deserts and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians.