2012-09-28 19:20:12

Iraqi prison break leaves several dead


An attack on a central Iraq prison has left at least 10 prison guards and two inmates dead. It's reported that up to 90 prisoners escaped in the unrest.

Officials in Sala-huddin province say several gunmen broke into the prison in the city of Tikrit Thursday night overpowering guards and seizing their weapons. The fighting lasted for several hours before security forces were able to regain control of the facility.

Reports in the Iraqi media suggest that a suicide bomber detonated a car bomb at the gates of the prison prior to the attack.

The prison has previously seen unrest among the inmates. Earlier this year, police uncovered a plan by some prisoners to escape.

Militants have previously targeted Iraqi prisons in similar operations.

The prison is now back under the control of the security forces, but a curfew is now in place in the area.

Police are trying to re-capture the prisoners.

Listen to Nathan Morley's report: RealAudioMP3







All the contents on this site are copyrighted ©.