This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/23/al-qaida-iraq-prison-raids-abu-ghraib

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Al-Qaida claims Iraq prison raids which freed hundreds of inmates Al-Qaida claims Iraq prison raids which freed hundreds of inmates
(35 minutes later)
Al-Qaida in Iraq has claimed responsibility for deadly raids this week on Abu Ghraib and Taji prisons which freed hundreds of prisoners, including some of its followers.Al-Qaida in Iraq has claimed responsibility for deadly raids this week on Abu Ghraib and Taji prisons which freed hundreds of prisoners, including some of its followers.
The statement, issued in the name of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, was posted in a jihadist forum on Tuesday.The statement, issued in the name of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, was posted in a jihadist forum on Tuesday.
The group called the prison assault Operation Conquering the Tyrants and said it involved 12 car bombs and help from prisoners who had obtained weapons on the inside.The group called the prison assault Operation Conquering the Tyrants and said it involved 12 car bombs and help from prisoners who had obtained weapons on the inside.
It claimed to have freed hundreds of prisoners, including more than 500 fighters.It claimed to have freed hundreds of prisoners, including more than 500 fighters.
Iraqi authorities said on Monday that hundreds of inmates had escaped from Abu Ghraib but a simultaneous raid on Taji had failed to free any prisoners. Both prisons are on the outskirts of Baghdad.Iraqi authorities said on Monday that hundreds of inmates had escaped from Abu Ghraib but a simultaneous raid on Taji had failed to free any prisoners. Both prisons are on the outskirts of Baghdad.
Suicide bombers drove cars packed with explosives to the gates of Abu Ghraib on Sunday night and blasted their way into the compound, while gunmen attacked guards with mortars and rocket-propelled grenades.Suicide bombers drove cars packed with explosives to the gates of Abu Ghraib on Sunday night and blasted their way into the compound, while gunmen attacked guards with mortars and rocket-propelled grenades.
Other militants took up positions near the main road, fighting off security reinforcements sent from Baghdad as militants wearing suicide vests entered the prison on foot to help free the inmates.Other militants took up positions near the main road, fighting off security reinforcements sent from Baghdad as militants wearing suicide vests entered the prison on foot to help free the inmates.
Ten police officers and four militants were killed in the ensuing clashes, which continued until Monday morning, when military helicopters arrived, helping to regain control.Ten police officers and four militants were killed in the ensuing clashes, which continued until Monday morning, when military helicopters arrived, helping to regain control.
By that time, hundreds of inmates had succeeded in fleeing Abu Ghraib, the prison made notorious a decade ago by photographs showing abuse of prisoners by US soldiers.By that time, hundreds of inmates had succeeded in fleeing Abu Ghraib, the prison made notorious a decade ago by photographs showing abuse of prisoners by US soldiers.
"The number of escaped inmates has reached 500, most of them were convicted senior members of al-Qaida and had received death sentences," Hakim al-Zamili, a senior member of the security and defence committee in parliament, told Reuters. "The security forces arrested some of them, but the rest are still free." "The number of escaped inmates has reached 500. Most of them were convicted senior members of al-Qaida and had received death sentences," Hakim al-Zamili, a senior member of the security and defence committee in parliament, told Reuters. "The security forces arrested some of them, but the rest are still free."
The military-style assaults on the prisons come as Sunni Muslim militants are regaining momentum in their insurgency against the Shia-led government.The military-style assaults on the prisons come as Sunni Muslim militants are regaining momentum in their insurgency against the Shia-led government.
In recent months, Sunni insurgents, including the al-Qaida-affiliated Islamic State of Iraq, have been striking on an almost daily basis against Shia Muslims and security forces, among other targets.In recent months, Sunni insurgents, including the al-Qaida-affiliated Islamic State of Iraq, have been striking on an almost daily basis against Shia Muslims and security forces, among other targets.
The violence has raised fears of a return to full-blown conflict in a country where Kurds, Shia and Sunni Muslims have yet to find a stable way of sharing power.The violence has raised fears of a return to full-blown conflict in a country where Kurds, Shia and Sunni Muslims have yet to find a stable way of sharing power.
Relations between Islam's two main denominations have been put under further strain from the civil war in Syria, which has drawn in Shia and Sunni fighters from Iraq and beyond to fight against each other.Relations between Islam's two main denominations have been put under further strain from the civil war in Syria, which has drawn in Shia and Sunni fighters from Iraq and beyond to fight against each other.
Nearly 600 people have been killed in militant attacks across Iraq so far this month, according to violence monitoring group Iraq Body Count. Nearly 600 people have been killed in militant attacks across Iraq so far this month, according to the violence monitoring group Iraq Body Count.
Recent attacks have targeted mosques, amateur football matches, shopping areas and cafes where people gather to socialise after breaking their daily fast during Ramadan.Recent attacks have targeted mosques, amateur football matches, shopping areas and cafes where people gather to socialise after breaking their daily fast during Ramadan.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday.