This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/7633837.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Iraq gunmen launch deadly ambush Iraq gunmen launch deadly ambush
(30 minutes later)
Gunmen have killed at least 20 people in an ambush to the north-east of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, officials say.Gunmen have killed at least 20 people in an ambush to the north-east of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, officials say.
Initial reports say the victims include policemen and Sunni Arab fighters who oppose al-Qaeda.Initial reports say the victims include policemen and Sunni Arab fighters who oppose al-Qaeda.
The attack took place in a village close to the city of Baquba, in Diyala province, police said.The attack took place in a village close to the city of Baquba, in Diyala province, police said.
The area surrounding the village is a long-standing al-Qaeda stronghold, an Iraqi security official told the AFP news agency. Diyala province has been the scene of sustained violence, and in July Iraqi forces - backed by the US - began an offensive to drive out insurgents.
The official said that the ambush happened at about 1530 local time (1230 GMT) in the village of Dulaimat. Reports says that Wednesday's ambush happened at about 1530 local time (1230 GMT) in the village of Dulaimat.
He said the policemen and Arab fighters had gathered in the village when they were ambushed. Gunmen first attacked a checkpoint in the village, killing a policeman, officials said.
The official said 12 policemen and eight fighters were killed, although the figure has not been verified. They then ambushed reinforcements, killing another 11 policemen and Sunni Arab fighters.
Doctor Ahmed Fuad, of Baquba hospital, told AFP that medics had received 20 dead. The dead included a police lieutenant-colonel and a police captain, a police official told Reuters news agency.
Area surrounded
It is not clear if any civilians were also among the casualties.
US forces and the Iraqi army have since surrounded the area, but the gunmen were believed to have escaped, the official said.
Dr Ahmed Fuad, of Baquba hospital, said medics had received 20 dead.
"The bodies are riddled with bullets," he said."The bodies are riddled with bullets," he said.
Diyala has often been a hotbed of the Sunni insurgency since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. Since September 2006 about 100,000 former anti-US Sunni Arab insurgents have joined so-called Awakening Councils, receiving salaries from the US.
However, since September 2006 about 100,000 former anti-US Sunni Arab insurgents have joined so-called Awakening Councils, receiving salaries from the US.
Correspondents say the arrangements have made a huge difference to the security situation in Iraq.Correspondents say the arrangements have made a huge difference to the security situation in Iraq.
But insurgents are thought to have regrouped in Diyala, prompting the major operation against them earlier this year.