Bombings Near Baghdad Kill At Least Seven

At least seven people have been killed in car bombings in a town north of Baghdad.

Police said the first bomb went off near a bus station in the town of Khalis, some 80 kilometers north of the Iraqi capital.

The second blast on December 23 occurred in the town's outdoor market.

At least 18 people were also wounded in the attacks in the mainly Shi'ite town.

The attack came a day after Iraqi security forces reported progress in recapturing some areas in the western city of Ramadi from Islamic State militants who control about a third of Iraq and neighboring Syria.

Based on reporting by AP