At least 13 people have been killed and nearly two dozen wounded in a dual car-bomb and suicide attack in northern Iraq.
Officials in the town of Tal Afar say the first blast occurred when a car bomb went off outside a popular restaurant at mid-day.
As people rushed onto the street to help, a suicide bomber in the crowd reportedly detonated his explosives.
Tal Afar, located near the Syrian border, is home to a volatile mix of Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims, as well as Christians, Kurds, and Turkomans.
The violence comes ahead of an Arab summit later this month in which Iraqi officials are hoping to demonstrate their control of the country's security situation following the withdrawal of U.S. forces in December.
Officials in the town of Tal Afar say the first blast occurred when a car bomb went off outside a popular restaurant at mid-day.
As people rushed onto the street to help, a suicide bomber in the crowd reportedly detonated his explosives.
Tal Afar, located near the Syrian border, is home to a volatile mix of Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims, as well as Christians, Kurds, and Turkomans.
The violence comes ahead of an Arab summit later this month in which Iraqi officials are hoping to demonstrate their control of the country's security situation following the withdrawal of U.S. forces in December.
