Explosions Heard Near US Base In Northern Iraq

IRBIL, Iraq (AP) — At least seven explosions were heard near a military base hosting U.S. forces in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil. The city is in the country’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region. The explosions began at around 9:30 a.m. local time on Friday, according to an Associated Press journalist in the area who heard the blasts. The journalist observed at least four plumes of black smoke rising into the sky from areas near or inside the base at the city’s airport. There was no immediate information on casualties or the cause of the explosions, and Iraqi and U.S. officials did not immediately comment.