Unknown attackers kill 6 in northern Iraq

BAGHDAD – Iraqi authorities say unknown attackers have killed six people in northern Iraq, including a local government official.

Police officials say the first attack occurred early Sunday, when gunmen killed two soldiers in an assault on their security checkpoint in the restive city of Mosul, 225 miles northwest of Baghdad.

Hours later, a roadside bomb killed a municipal council member and his son in a town near Mosul.

Also, gunmen in another area just south of Mosul sprayed a security checkpoint with bullets, killing two policemen.

Hospital officials confirmed the death toll. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to talk to media.

Violence has spiked in Iraq since the start of the holy month of Ramadan.