BAGHDAD — Iraqi insurgents wearing masks conducted a coordinated series of
attacks on government facilities.
Officials said the insurgents struck government buildings and security
facilities northeast of Baghdad on Tuesday. At least 20 Iraqi officers were
killed in the attacks in Al Muqtadiyah in the Diyala province, Middle East Newsline reported.
The offensive was said to have been conducted by at least 50 masked
attackers. Officials said the insurgents arrived in 10 vehicles and were
armed with rocket propelled-grenades, AK-47 assault rifles and mortars.
Officials said the insurgents stormed the governor's office, court,
police headquarters and prison in Diyala. They said the police and security
forces quickly ran out of ammunition and either fled or were killed. Ten
insurgents were also said to have been killed.
The insurgents torched the prison and other government buildings. Then,
the inmates were set free and some of them fled with the insurgents.
The insurgency strike took place as the United States has launched an
effort to bolster the capabilities of Iraqi police. Officials said police
skills and equipment lagged far behind those of the Iraq Army.
In another attack, the commander of an Iraq Public Order Battalion was
killed in a mortar attack. The attack took place in Madain 20 kilometers
south of Baghdad.
