Several killed in ISIS attack on gas plant near Baghdad

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Six Islamist suicide bombers stormed the Taji gas factory north of Baghdad on Sunday in an attack in which several people were killed, an Iraqi security official said.

“Three gas storage units were burnt during the attack and civil defense forces managed to extinguish the fire,” Saad Maan, spokesman of the Baghdad Operations Command, said in a statement.

He said the attack, in the Taji district near Baghdad, began with a truck bombing at the factory gate that was meant to open the way for the suicide attackers.

Maan said there were casualties, but there was no immediate word on the number.

“The terrorists exploded a truck at the door of the factory and then six suicide bombers wearing explosive belts stormed into the factory,” Maan’s statement said.

Authorities blamed the attack on the Islamic State group (ISIS), whose usual tactic in such attacks is to combine car bombs with suicide attackers.

On Thursday, at least two policemen were killed and eight wounded in attacks on two police stations near Baghdad that were blamed on ISIS.

Suicide attacks and car bombings have increased in Baghdad since the recent political tumult in the capital, which saw angry protesters storm the parliament building late last month, demanding substantial political reforms to uproot corruption.

ISIS has claimed bomb attacks like these in the past, the group routinely targets Shiites, militiamen and civilians alike.