Baghdad Car Bombings: Explosions Kill At Least 7 In Police Headquarters Attack

Two car bombs exploded near markets in Baghdad on Wednesday, killing up to 10 people, according to media reports. The bombs targeted police headquarters, CNN reported, which is located just 7 miles from where U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was holding meetings to build a coalition to confront the Islamic State.

There were conflicting reports on casualties from the twin explosions, which detonated within minutes of each other. The Associated Press reported 10 people were killed in the blasts. Reuters said nine were killed and 29 were wounded. CNN’s Elise Labott tweeted that at least seven people died in the bombings.

On Wednesday, Kerry met with new Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, Iraqi President Fouad Massoum, Iraqi Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jabouri and Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jafari. Kerry is in the Middle East to build support for an offensive against the militant group formerly known as ISIS.

ISIS controls large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria, and U.S. President Barack Obama is set to outline his plan to attack ISIS at 9 p.m. Wednesday.