Iraqi security forces deploy in Kirkuk after four protesters killed in ethnic clashes

FILE PHOTO: A view of the city of Kirkuk shows a flame from an oilfield in the distance, October 25, 2010. REUTERS/Saad Shalash

SULAIMANIYA, Iraq (Reuters) -Iraqi security forces deployed in the northern Iraqi oil city of Kirkuk on Sunday to prevent further violence as the death toll in clashes between ethnic groups the previous day rose to four, police and security sources said.

Four protesters were shot dead on Saturday in clashes between ethnic groups in Kirkuk that broke out after days of tensions. Police and medical sources said all four were Kurdish.