Author Topic: Iraqi troops 'repel militant attack on Samarra'  (Read 423 times)

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Offline EC

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Iraqi troops 'repel militant attack on Samarra'
« on: June 07, 2014, 06:59:42 am »
Iraqi security forces have repelled a large-scale attack by militants on the central city of Samarra, officials say.

Gunmen travelling in dozens of vehicles attacked checkpoints on the east and west on Thursday morning before taking control of several areas.

The army responded with helicopter strikes in which officials said about 80 insurgents died.

A curfew has been imposed on the city and reinforcements sent from the capital Baghdad.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but Sunni militants and tribesmen allied to the jihadist Islamist State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) have seized parts of the city of Ramadi and most of Falluja.
'Terrified'

Witnesses and security sources said dozens of heavily armed militants attacked checkpoints and police stations on the outskirts of Samarra early on Thursday, before moving into the city.
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    We have completely dismissed the armed groups from Samarra and we are now pursuing them outside the city”

Lt-Gen Sabah al-Fatlawi Samarra Special Operations Command

The assailants seized control of the municipality building and university, raising the black flag associated with jihadist groups over both buildings, police told the Reuters news agency.

They also reportedly occupied Samarra's two largest mosques and announced the "liberation" of the city via loudspeaker, urging residents to join their war against the government.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-27719929
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