Tensions have been in high in the disputed oil-rich city before provincial elections expected to take place either late this year or early in 2009.

"The death toll so far is 25 killed and more than 180 wounded," said Colonel Yazgar Shukr, a Kirkuk security official. A Kirkuk health official confirmed the death toll.

Kurds in the ethnically mixed city say it should belong to the largely autonomous Kurdistan region, but Arabs and ethnic Turkmen want it to stay under central government authority.

(Chinadaily.com.cn via agencies July 29, 2008)