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Iraq troops arrest MP Ahmed al-Awlani in deadly raid Iraq troops arrest MP Ahmed al-Awlani in deadly raid
(35 minutes later)
Iraqi forces have arrested an MP, killing his brother and at least three of his guards during a raid on his home in the western city of Ramadi.Iraqi forces have arrested an MP, killing his brother and at least three of his guards during a raid on his home in the western city of Ramadi.
Ahmed al-Awlani, a member of the Sunni community, was wanted on terrorism charges. He had also backed protests against the mainly Shia government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Ahmed al-Awlani, a member of the Sunni community, had backed protests against the mainly Shia government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and was reportedly wanted on terrorism charges.
Police said Mr Awlani's guards opened fire as officers arrived to detain him.Police said Mr Awlani's guards opened fire as officers arrived to detain him.
Another 18 people were wounded in the ensuing skirmish, an official said.Another 18 people were wounded in the ensuing skirmish, an official said.
"Security forces attacked the residence of MP Ahmed al-Alwani in central Ramadi to arrest him this morning, sparking a battle with his guards with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades," a police major told AFP news agency.
"Five of Alwani's guards and his brother were killed and eight others wounded, while 10 security forces members were also wounded," the major said.
Some reports suggest that a sister of the MP - a member of the Sunni-backed Iraqiya bloc - was also among those killed in the raid.Some reports suggest that a sister of the MP - a member of the Sunni-backed Iraqiya bloc - was also among those killed in the raid.
"Army troops with police special forces were trying to arrest Awlani from his house, but fierce fighting erupted. Five bodies, including one woman, were taken to Falluja hospital," one police source told Reuters news agency. Protest camp
The arrest comes as Iraq remains in the grip of sectarian fighting which has made this the deadliest year since 2008. The reasons for Mr Alwani's arrest were not immediately clear. Associated Press news agency said he was wanted on terrorism charges.
He has also been a prominent supporter of a group of activists camped on a highway near Ramadi protesting against the perceived marginalisation and persecution of Iraqi Sunnis by the Shia-dominated government.
Prime Minister Maliki has reportedly threatened to shut down the camp, saying it has become a headquarters of al-Qaeda.
Mr Alwani's arrest comes as Iraq remains in the grip of sectarian fighting which has made this the deadliest year since 2008.
More than 8,000 people have been killed since January, many of them in fighting between Sunni and Shia Muslims.More than 8,000 people have been killed since January, many of them in fighting between Sunni and Shia Muslims.
The UN has called on Iraq's political leaders to co-operate to end the bloodshed, which has escalated since an army raid on a Sunni Arab anti-government protest camp in April 2013. The UN has called on Iraq's political leaders to co-operate to end the bloodshed, which has escalated since an army raid on a Sunni Arab anti-government protest camp near the northern town of Hawija in April 2013 killed dozens.
The protesters had called for the resignation of Mr Maliki, who they accused of targeting the minority Sunni community.
The government has made some concessions in an effort to placate Sunnis, including freeing some prisoners and raising the salaries of Sahwa militiamen fighting al-Qaeda, but the violence has not abated.The government has made some concessions in an effort to placate Sunnis, including freeing some prisoners and raising the salaries of Sahwa militiamen fighting al-Qaeda, but the violence has not abated.