PHOTOS: Car bomb detonates in northern Tikrit, injures students

A car bomb detonated in the Iraqi town of Shirqat, north of Tikrit, injuring several people, a security source affirmed on Sunday.

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – A car bomb detonated in the Iraqi town of Shirqat, north of Tikrit, injuring several people, a security source affirmed on Sunday.

The rigged vehicle was parked near a school on the al-Atba Street. The explosion injured several bypassers, including students, the source explained.

Ambulances were immediately dispatched to the scene and transferred victims to nearby hospitals.

Photos posted on Iraqi social media networks showed the extent of the damages caused by the blast, with the school wall being hit the hardest.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility by any groups, but it is similar to attacks previously carried out by the Islamic State (IS) in the area.

After falling to the jihadist group in mid-2014, Iraqi forces, with the support of the US-led coalition, liberated Tikrit in April 2015.

Despite Iraq declaring final victory late last year over IS after a devastating three-year war, the extremist group continues to carry out attacks, bombings, and assassinations in many cities.

Iraqi officials have warned civilians to be on the lookout for IS sleeper cells, which are still active in many liberated areas.

Editing by Nadia Riva

The car bomb severely damaged a nearby school wall, Nov. 4, 2018. (Photo: Social Media)
The car bomb severely damaged a nearby school wall, Nov. 4, 2018. (Photo: Social Media)
The car bomb severely damaged a nearby school wall, Nov. 4, 2018. (Photo: Social Media)
The car bomb severely damaged a nearby school wall, Nov. 4, 2018. (Photo: Social Media)
The car bomb severely damaged a nearby school wall, Nov. 4, 2018. (Photo: Social Media)
The car bomb severely damaged a nearby school wall, Nov. 4, 2018. (Photo: Social Media)
The car bomb severely damaged a nearby school wall, Nov. 4, 2018. (Photo: Social Media)
The car bomb severely damaged a nearby school wall, Nov. 4, 2018. (Photo: Social Media)