Security officials foil suicide belt attack in northern Baghdad
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Officials thwarted an attempted suicide attack in a northern Baghdad suburb on Thursday.
"The security forces of the Baghdad Operations Command managed to kill two suicide bombers wearing explosive belts in the Tarmiya area north of Baghdad," the city's operation command stated.
Al-Tarmiya is a suburb just to the north of the Iraqi capital, bordering on Saladin province.
Officials in Baghdad said they launched the counter-operation after receiving "accurate intelligence.”
No group immediately claimed the failed attack.
Baghdad province remained the most dangerous place in Iraq in February with 195 of the casualties (49 killed, 146 injured), according to UNAMI data.
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has opened an investigation after the head of security detail was killed by "undisciplined members” at checkpoints at the entrance of the city of Samarra in Saladin province about 125 kilometers north of Baghdad.
Brig. Gen. Ismael Shareef was killed by fighters from Saraya al-Salam, a group loyal to prominent Shiite cleric Muqtada Sadr, AFP reported, citing an unnamed security source.
The general was heading back to Baghdad after he had visited Nineveh province for a trip planned for Wednesday by Abadi.
"The security forces of the Baghdad Operations Command managed to kill two suicide bombers wearing explosive belts in the Tarmiya area north of Baghdad," the city's operation command stated.
Al-Tarmiya is a suburb just to the north of the Iraqi capital, bordering on Saladin province.
Officials in Baghdad said they launched the counter-operation after receiving "accurate intelligence.”
"They were trying to detonate themselves with and explosive belt to target civilians, read the statement.
No group immediately claimed the failed attack.
Baghdad province remained the most dangerous place in Iraq in February with 195 of the casualties (49 killed, 146 injured), according to UNAMI data.
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has opened an investigation after the head of security detail was killed by "undisciplined members” at checkpoints at the entrance of the city of Samarra in Saladin province about 125 kilometers north of Baghdad.
Brig. Gen. Ismael Shareef was killed by fighters from Saraya al-Salam, a group loyal to prominent Shiite cleric Muqtada Sadr, AFP reported, citing an unnamed security source.
The general was heading back to Baghdad after he had visited Nineveh province for a trip planned for Wednesday by Abadi.