This article is from the source 'bbc' 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.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25959443
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Iraq troops 'free hostages at Baghdad building' | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Iraqi security forces have freed all the hostages taken by gunmen at a building in Baghdad next the ministry of human rights, officials say. | Iraqi security forces have freed all the hostages taken by gunmen at a building in Baghdad next the ministry of human rights, officials say. |
| Three of the eight attackers were killed in the operation, an interior ministry spokesman told the BBC. | Three of the eight attackers were killed in the operation, an interior ministry spokesman told the BBC. |
| Security forces were quick to seal off the surrounding area, also home to the interior and transport ministries. | Security forces were quick to seal off the surrounding area, also home to the interior and transport ministries. |
| No group has claimed responsibility, though Sunni militants linked to al-Qaeda have mounted similar attacks. | No group has claimed responsibility, though Sunni militants linked to al-Qaeda have mounted similar attacks. |
| Violence has surged across Iraq in the past year, reaching levels not seen since the height of the sectarian insurgency in 2007. | Violence has surged across Iraq in the past year, reaching levels not seen since the height of the sectarian insurgency in 2007. |
| The United Nations says 7,818 civilians and 1,050 members of the security forces died in 2013. December alone saw at least 759 killed. | The United Nations says 7,818 civilians and 1,050 members of the security forces died in 2013. December alone saw at least 759 killed. |