IRAQ’S northern city of Kirkuk was under curfew yesterday after overnight violence ahead of a deeply controversial independence referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Shortly after sunset on Monday, gunmen on motorcycles opened fire on one of the offices of the Iraqi Turkmen Front, Mohammed Samaan Kanaan, in charge of the movement’s offices, told reporters. The guards returned fire, killing one and wounding two of the assailants, Mr Kanaan added.

Hours later, a police patrol that included the brother of the slain assailant attacked another office, triggering clashes, Mr Kanaan said. The fighting ended when a large police force reached the scene. No casualties were reported from the second bout of clashes.