17 killed in Baghdad prison mutiny

[News_Editor]

17 killed in Baghdad prison mutiny

2011-05-08 21:45:42 GMT+7 (ICT)

BAGHDAD (BNO NEWS) -- At least 17 people were killed on Sunday in a mutiny at Baghdad counter-terrorism detention center, a security official said.

"We have six of the counter-terrorism forces killed, including Brigadier General Mu'yad Salih, head of the counter-terrorism department for Baghdad's central district of Karradah," Major General Qassim Atta, spokesman of Baghdad's Operations Command told reporters, as cited by Xinhua news agency.

"Eleven terrorist, including al-Qaida leader Huthaifa al-Battawi, were killed in the clashes at the detention. The prisoners were part of al-Qaida cell responsible for the hostage-taking in a Baghdad's church," Atta said.

Battawi, who is the alleged al-Qaida leader of Baghdad, and eleven of his militants were captured last year by the Iraqi security forces after carrying out a church attack and some other high-profile attacks in the capital.

According to Xinhua news agency, the revolt began after one of the prisoners seized the gun of a policeman while being led to an interrogation and opened fire, killing six of the security members.

The incident came as Iraqi security forces increased security alert in Baghdad and other Iraqi cities as they expect attacks from militants who want to avenge the death of al-Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden.

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