Blast hits police battalion in southern Iraq, killing 5

Blast hits police battalion in southern Iraq, killing 5

2011-06-14 10:33:43 GMT+7 (ICT)

BASRA, IRAQ (BNO NEWS) -- Five people were killed and dozens more were injured after a car bomb targeted a police battalion in southern Iraq's Basra province, the local Aswat al-Iraq news agency reported.

The vehicle loaded with explosives was detonated by a suicide bomber who was said to be targeting a Police Emergency battalion belonging to the Interior Ministry's Inspector-General in the port-city of Basra.

Three of the fatalities and most of the 29 injured were law enforcement agents with the Police Emergency battalion. Basra city is located approximately 590 kilometers (366.6 miles) to the south of Baghdad.

Monday's attack was the latest in a series of attacks against police officers in Iraq. In early June, the Presidential Palace compound in Tikrit was the target of two separate attacks. The first took place at the compound's al-Farouq mosque after a suicide bomber blew himself up.

The attack killed 19 persons and wounded 72 others, most of them members of the security forces, judges and two of Salah al-Din Province's Council members. Three days later, on June 6, a car bomb was detonated near the same compound.

The suicide bombing on June 6 took place during a celebration marking the handing over of the mission of protecting the compound to the Iraqi troops. At least 12 people were killed, four of them Army officers and five soldiers. Furthermore, 20 people were injured including civilians, police officers and Army service members.

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