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Hostages seized as Iraq militants storm Ramadi university Hostages seized as Iraq militants storm Ramadi university
(35 minutes later)
Militants have stormed a university in the Iraqi city of Ramadi, taking dozens of students and staff hostage. Militants have stormed a university in the Iraqi city of Ramadi, briefly taking dozens of students and staff hostage before retreating under fire.
Security forces surrounded the Anbar university campus, exchanging fire with militants said to be from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS). At least two people died in the assault, but officials said security forces were in control of the campus.
At least two people were reported killed inside the university. The militants were said to be from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.
The western province of Anbar is a focal point of Iraq's rising sectarian violence, with a number of areas controlled by Sunni militants.The western province of Anbar is a focal point of Iraq's rising sectarian violence, with a number of areas controlled by Sunni militants.
The areas include parts of Ramadi, where the militants have been battling security forces of the Shia-led government for months.The areas include parts of Ramadi, where the militants have been battling security forces of the Shia-led government for months.
Saturday's attack was the third major assault by insurgents in as many days following raids on Mosul in the north and the central city of Samarra.Saturday's attack was the third major assault by insurgents in as many days following raids on Mosul in the north and the central city of Samarra.
Sealed offSealed off
Police said militants had infiltrated the campus in the early hours from the neighbouring al-Tasha district, blowing up a bridge that connects to the university's main gate.Police said militants had infiltrated the campus in the early hours from the neighbouring al-Tasha district, blowing up a bridge that connects to the university's main gate.
Security personnel have sealed off the campus and one Agence France-Presse reporter said special forces had led an assault. Security personnel sealed off the campus and one Agence France-Presse reporter said special forces had led an assault.
Another unconfirmed report spoke of the militants withdrawing.
The staff and students were reportedly held in a dormitory.The staff and students were reportedly held in a dormitory.
Islamist State in Iraq and the LevantIslamist State in Iraq and the Levant
Profile: Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS)Profile: Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS)
One student, Ahmed al-Mehamdi, told the Associated Press news agency by telephone that he awoke to gunfire and saw armed men running across the campus. The gunmen entered the dormitory and told everybody to stay in their rooms.One student, Ahmed al-Mehamdi, told the Associated Press news agency by telephone that he awoke to gunfire and saw armed men running across the campus. The gunmen entered the dormitory and told everybody to stay in their rooms.
He said the gunmen had said they belonged to ISIS, a Sunni group which grew out of from al-Qaeda's Iraqi operation.He said the gunmen had said they belonged to ISIS, a Sunni group which grew out of from al-Qaeda's Iraqi operation.
"The gunmen took some students to other university buildings," he said. "For the rest of us, we are still trapped in our rooms and everybody is in panic, especially the Shia students.""The gunmen took some students to other university buildings," he said. "For the rest of us, we are still trapped in our rooms and everybody is in panic, especially the Shia students."
Another student told AFP the insurgent leader had addressed them saying: "We will teach you a lesson you will never forget."Another student told AFP the insurgent leader had addressed them saying: "We will teach you a lesson you will never forget."
The militants later left the campus amid gunfire. AFP quoted Deputy Interior Minister Adnan al-Assadi as saying that all the students had been "liberated".
Hospital sources say they have received two bodies - one of a student and the other of a police officer. There is no confirmation.
The violence in Anbar meant there was no voting there in the 30 April parliamentary elections.The violence in Anbar meant there was no voting there in the 30 April parliamentary elections.
Prime Minister Nouri Maliki's Shia-led alliance won the elections, but fell short of a majority.Prime Minister Nouri Maliki's Shia-led alliance won the elections, but fell short of a majority.
Mr Maliki wants a third term, but other parties have voiced strong opposition.Mr Maliki wants a third term, but other parties have voiced strong opposition.
They blame him for the sectarian violence, which has left more than 3,500 people dead this year, and accuse him of trying to monopolise power.They blame him for the sectarian violence, which has left more than 3,500 people dead this year, and accuse him of trying to monopolise power.
He blames external factors like the conflict in Syria for exacerbating the violence, and his opponents for the current political stalemate.He blames external factors like the conflict in Syria for exacerbating the violence, and his opponents for the current political stalemate.
The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant has carried out dozens of deadly attacks both in Iraq and Syria and imposes strict Islamic rule in the areas it controls.The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant has carried out dozens of deadly attacks both in Iraq and Syria and imposes strict Islamic rule in the areas it controls.
On Friday, dozens of people died in fighting between Sunni insurgents and government troops in Mosul.On Friday, dozens of people died in fighting between Sunni insurgents and government troops in Mosul.
AFP quoted officials as saying the fighting had entered a second day on Saturday, with dozens more insurgents and security personnel killed in clashes.AFP quoted officials as saying the fighting had entered a second day on Saturday, with dozens more insurgents and security personnel killed in clashes.
On Thursday, scores of unidentified militants stormed checkpoints in Samarra.On Thursday, scores of unidentified militants stormed checkpoints in Samarra.
The advance was eventually halted when helicopter gunships and military reinforcements, including members of Iraq's elite counter-terrorism forces, were sent in.The advance was eventually halted when helicopter gunships and military reinforcements, including members of Iraq's elite counter-terrorism forces, were sent in.
The army said some 80 insurgents died.The army said some 80 insurgents died.
Are you in Ramadi? Did you witness the attack? You can get in contact by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with the subject title 'Ramadi'.Are you in Ramadi? Did you witness the attack? You can get in contact by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with the subject title 'Ramadi'.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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