Dozens dead in IS bombing of Kurdish-Syrian city

At least 44 people have been killed and dozens injured after a twin bomb attack in the northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli.

Two car bombs exploded in the Kurdish-majority city's Gharbi neighbourhood, which is home to offices belonging to the Kurdish political party which controls the area.

A Kurdish police training centre and nearby local government building are thought to be the targets of the attack.

Civilians and Kurdish security forces were reported to be among the dead and the death toll is expected to rise. 

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack through Amaq news agency.

Kurdish forces have been battling IS militants close to the area, and the jihadi group has launched several attacks in Qamishli.

The city is controlled by Kurdish forces, while the airport is run by the Syrian regime. Qamishli has been earmarked for a possible de-facto "capital" of an autonomous Kurdish state in Syria.

Masoud Barzani, president of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, urged authorities and health workers in neighbouring regions under his control to assist the emergency services in Qamishli.

"I am deeply saddened by today's terrorist attack against our brothers and sisters in Qamishli in Western Kurdistan," Barzani said, according to Rudaw news site.