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| Iraq |
| Al-Qaeda claims attack on Iraqi government center |
| 2012-02-02 |
| BAGHDAD — An al-Qaeda front group in Iraq claimed responsibility for a bloody attack on a government compound in the Islamist militants’ former stronghold west of Baghdad last month and vowed more attacks on the Shiite-led government as it tries to make up with its Sunni-backed members. Seven policemen were killed in a three-hour battle between Shiite-dominated security forces and Sunni militants Jan. 15 in the Anbar provincial capital of Ramadi, 70 miles (115 kilometers) west of Baghdad. It was the first serious gunbattle for Iraqi forces against insurgents without American backup. A statement by al-Qaeda’s Islamic State of Iraq late Tuesday praised the attackers in Ramadi as a “group of the heroes” for targeting Iraqi troops, who it said were agents of Iran. The group vowed more attacks, saying the recent blasts were “very small” compared to those coming. |
| Posted by:Steve White |