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Ten die as Iraq security forces dismantle Sunni camp | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
At least 10 people have been killed in violence as Iraqi security forces dismantled an anti-government protest camp in the western city of Ramadi. | |
A defence ministry spokesman said local Sunni leaders and clerics had agreed to end the 12-month sit-in peacefully. | |
But there was an exchange of gunfire after police moved against the Sunni camp in western Anbar province. | |
Sunni Arabs have been calling for the resignation of Shia Prime Minister Nouri Maliki for more than a year. | Sunni Arabs have been calling for the resignation of Shia Prime Minister Nouri Maliki for more than a year. |
They accuse his government of discriminating against their minority community and unfairly targeting it with tough anti-terrorism measures which officials say have been implemented to stem the surge in sectarian violence. | |
The UN says more than 7,150 civilians and 950 security forces personnel have been killed since January, the highest annual toll since 2008. | The UN says more than 7,150 civilians and 950 security forces personnel have been killed since January, the highest annual toll since 2008. |
'Al-Qaeda headquarters' | 'Al-Qaeda headquarters' |
The protest camp in Ramadi, a predominantly Sunni city some 115km (70 miles) west of Baghdad, was situated beside the motorway to Jordan. | |
Defence ministry spokesman Mohammed al-Askari told state TV that on Sunday evening Sunni leaders had agreed to end the months-long sit-in. | Defence ministry spokesman Mohammed al-Askari told state TV that on Sunday evening Sunni leaders had agreed to end the months-long sit-in. |
Police sources said Monday's clashes broke out when gunmen opened fire on police special forces trying to enter Ramadi, Reuters reported. | |
An AFP journalist said security forces and helicopters could be seen firing into the area of the camp, while some mosques were using loudspeakers to exhort people to "go to jihad". | |
The fighting also wounded 30 gunmen, a Ramadi hospital doctor told AFP. | |
The move by the authorities came after Mr Maliki claimed that the protest camp had "turned into a headquarters for the leadership of al-Qaeda". | The move by the authorities came after Mr Maliki claimed that the protest camp had "turned into a headquarters for the leadership of al-Qaeda". |
Tensions in the city were raised on Saturday when security forces raided the home of a local Sunni Arab MP, Ahmed al-Alwani, triggering clashes in which his brother, five guards and two troops were killed. | Tensions in the city were raised on Saturday when security forces raided the home of a local Sunni Arab MP, Ahmed al-Alwani, triggering clashes in which his brother, five guards and two troops were killed. |
Mr Alwani, who was arrested on terrorism charges, has been prominent among the organisers of the Sunni anti-government protests. | Mr Alwani, who was arrested on terrorism charges, has been prominent among the organisers of the Sunni anti-government protests. |
In April, a raid by security forces on a similar protest camp in the northern town of Hawija left 44 civilians and one policeman dead. | In April, a raid by security forces on a similar protest camp in the northern town of Hawija left 44 civilians and one policeman dead. |
Extremist Sunni militants linked to al-Qaeda subsequently stepped up attacks across the country, while Shia groups began deadly reprisals. | Extremist Sunni militants linked to al-Qaeda subsequently stepped up attacks across the country, while Shia groups began deadly reprisals. |