Car Bomb Explodes Outside US Consulate in Iraq

ByJUSTIN FISHEL ABCNews logo
Friday, April 17, 2015

A car bomb exploded today just outside the U.S. consulate in Irbil, Iraq.

It's unclear how many people may have been injured or killed, but local reports from northern Iraq say some foreigners were injured.

The State Department says all American personnel have been accounted for.

"A vehicle-born improvised explosive device (VBIED) was detonated directly outside an entry point on the perimeter of the U.S. Consulate in Erbil, Iraq on April 17," a senior State Department said in a statement provided to ABC News.

"All Chief of Mission personnel have been accounted for and there are no reports of injuries to Chief of Mission personnel or local guards."

The official said local security forces have responded to the scene and are securing the area.

State Department Spokesman Marie Harf said they dont know yet who is responsible for the attack, although there are reports from the region suggesting ISIS has claimed responsibility.

Harf said reports of casualties within the local population or non-chief of mission personnel could not be confirmed.

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