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Mar 29th, 2011


Hostage Siege Leaves Dozens Dead in Iraq

5-hour standoff in Tikrit ends when attackers blow themselves up

By Lara Jakes

March 29, 2011

BAGHDAD — Wearing military uniforms over explosives belts, gunmen held a local Iraqi government center hostage Tuesday in a grisly siege that ended with the deaths of at least 56 people, including three councilmen who were executed with gunshots to the head.

The five-hour standoff in Tikrit, former dictator Saddam Hussein’s home town, ended only when the attackers blew themselves up in one of the bloodiest days in Iraqi this year.

First they set fire to the bodies of the three slain Salahuddin province councilmen in a brutal, defiant show of how insurgents still render Iraq unstable — even if it has so far escaped the political unrest rolling across the Arab world. …

A senior intelligence official in Baghdad likened the attack to al-Qaida’s horrifying hostage raid last fall on a Catholic church in Baghdad that left 68 dead and stunned the nation.

Tuesday’s attack left 56 victims dead and 98 wounded, including government workers, security forces and bystanders, said Salahuddin health director Dr. Raied Ibrahim. Many died in the volleys of gunfire and explosions.

Among the dead were councilman Abdullah Jebara, a vocal al-Qaida foe; the council’s health committee chairman, Wathiq al-Samaraie; and Iraqi journalist Sabah al-Bazi, a correspondent for Al-Arabiya satellite TV channel and a freelancer for CNN and Reuters. …

Killed in the Tikrit violence was Sabah al-Bazi, a freelancer who worked with Reuters, CNN and Al-Arabiya.
Killed in the Tikrit violence was Sabah al-Bazi, a freelancer who worked with Reuters, CNN and Al-Arabiya. (Photo credit: CNN)

A car bomb exploded outside the Salahuddin provincial council headquarters around 1 p.m., distracting security officials who rushed to put out the resulting fire. That’s when the uniformed gunmen — including one with a counterfeit high rank — identified themselves as Iraqi soldiers at a security checkpoint outside the compound. Told they would have to be searched before entering, they opened fire on guards and stormed the building.

“The gunmen were armed with grenades and began their raid by firing at random at a reception room,” said Ali Abdul Rihman, a spokesman for the governor. “Then they opened fire inside.” …

Al-Asi, the provincial spokesman, said 15 people were taken hostage on the headquarters’ second floor, where the gunmen hurled grenades and fired at security forces below. The hostages, including the three lawmakers, were each shot in the head, al-Asi said. …

American troops who were nearby as part of an advising mission with Iraqi forces also responded to the attack, and some U.S. soldiers received minor wounds, said military spokesman Col. Barry Johnson. The U.S. troops dropped back after Iraqi forces took control, Johnson said. …

Full story 

——

Related reports on this site

Image: Body of militia member
A man kisses the body of a government-backed Sunni militia member laid on the ground of a hospital yard in the town of Mahmoudiyah, south of Baghdad, on Sunday, July 18, 2010 after a deadly blast. (Photo credit: Reuters)

Wholesale Slaughter in Iraq (Jan. 18, 2011)

Rivers of Christian Blood in Iraq (Nov. 3, 2010)

Catholic Hostages Killed in Iraq (Oct. 31, 2010)

Baghdad Military Headquarters Attack (Sept. 5, 2010)

Horrific Baghdad Bombing (Aug. 18, 2010)

Baghdad Central Bank Attack (June 17, 2010)

—— 

FROM THE ARCHIVES: One Year Ago — March 29, 2010 

Christian Militia Terror Plot


Suspected in a conspiracy to attack police officers are, from left to right, top row: David Stone, Sr.; David Stone, Jr.; Tina Stone, Jacob Ward. Left to right, bottom row: Michael Meeks; Joshua Clough; Kristopher Sickles, Thomas Piatek.

One year ago today, I reported that nine alleged members of a Midwest Christian militia group, the Hutaree, had been charged with plotting to kill a police officer and slaughter scores more by bombing the funeral, with the intent of inciting an uprising against the U.S. government.

—— 

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Two Years Ago — March 29, 2009 

Iraqi Army Battles Sons of Iraq

Image: Militia
Members of the Sahwa militia surrender to Iraqi troops in Baghdad’s Fadel district on Sunday, March 29, 2009. (Photo credit: Ali Yussef / AFP — Getty Images)

Two years ago today, on March 29, 2009, I reported that Iraqi authorities had arrested the local leader of a Sunni “Awakening Council” group that had broken with al-Qaida, Adil al-Mashhadani, sparking a two-day gunbattle in central Baghdad that killed four people and wounded 21.





10 Responses to “Iraq: Many Dead in Tikrit”
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