The dramatic takeover of a Baghdad prison today left nearly three dozen dead or injured, including an al-Qaeda "emir" or "wali," before an assault force was able to secure the facility. At least 29 Iraqis were killed and 23 more were wounded at the prison and in other violence across the country.
Huthaifa al-Batawi, purportedly al-Qaeda’s "Emir of Baghdad," has been killed in a jailhouse clash. He was incarcerated at an Interior Ministry prison, which houses various high-value detainees, in connection with the Our Lady of Salvation attack last October in Baghdad. Batawi was about to be interrogated to learn if he knew of any attacks being planned in retaliation for the death of Osama bin Laden. He is said to have grabbed a jailer’s gun then killed several guards and officials, while liberating some of his colleagues. He and his men held the prison for several hours before an assault team retook control.
Conflicting casualty figures are the norm in Iraq, and this attack is no different. As many as nine jailers were killed. The head of counter-terrorism efforts in Karrada district, Brigadier General Moayed al-Saleh, was among the dead. As many as 11 detainees were killed as well. No prisoners escaped, but five, including Batawi died while trying to drive away in a police vehicle. Most were facing death sentences. At least 14 people were also wounded.
Elsewhere in Baghdad, a roadside bomb explosion killed one person and wounded three in Doura. An attack on an Interior Ministry official last night in Maysaloon Square left him dead and a female relative wounded. Gunmen wounded an employee driving a car belonging to the Industry Ministry through Saidiya. A roadside bomb in Shula killed two people.
A blast in Saqlawiya killed a policeman and wounded two more.
Two policemen were killed when a suspect shot at them during a raid in Hawija. Apparently, the suspect was also killed.
In Mosul, a blast wounded two policemen.
A bomb last night in Madaen killed an official working for the passport office when it exploded.
At least fourteen suspects were arrested in Diyala. Among them was Saddam‘s personal driver.
Nine suspects were detained in Ninewa province.
Over 130 rockets and explosives were discovered in Wassit province.
A cache of arms was recovered in Tal Kief.
Prisoners in Muqdadiya ended a hunger strike when police responded to their demands by giving them better food.
