In Iraq, at least 18 people have died in a series of five car bomb attacks in the oil rich city of Kirkuk. Another 40 people were injured. Meanwhile in Baqouba, a U.S. raid has left nine people dead including two children. The military claimed the raid targeted men with ties to senior Al-Qaida leaders in Iraq. But local residents accused the U.S. of killing civilians. Tensions between British troops and Shiite Iraqis in the province of Maysan are escalating. On Sunday the provincial council suspended all cooperation with the British forces after clashes left five people dead. The council accused the British troops of injuring old men, women and children.