Heavy fighting in northern Iraq kills 15: Official
Iran Press TV
Wed Apr 24, 2013 3:33PM GMT
At least 15 people have been killed in clashes between Iraqi security forces and militants in the town of Sulaiman Bek, in northern Iraq, the mayor of a nearby town says.
'The clashes between Iraqi security forces and the militants started last night,' Reuters quoted Shalal Abed, the mayor of Tuz Khurmato as saying on Wednesday.
According to witnesses, four helicopters belonging to Iraqi army bombed the center of Sulaiman Bek, located 160 kilometers (100 miles) north of the capital Baghdad, in a bid to drive gunmen out of the town.
Meanwhile, Abed said ten militants and five soldiers were among the dead and added that the two sides were still fighting.
Iraq has been the scene of anti-government demonstrations since December 23, 2012, when bodyguards of former finance minister, Rafie al-Issawi, were arrested on terrorism-related charges.
The demonstrators allege that the arrests were made on sectarian grounds and demand an end to anti-terrorism laws. But the government says it is up to parliament to decide on abolishing those laws.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had previously warned anti-government protesters that security forces could intervene to end illegal demonstrations across the country.
He had also warned against foreign interference, saying it would push the country toward sectarian violence.
MR/JR
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