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-28459360

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Militants 'kill 60' in ambush on Iraq prison convoy Militants 'kill 60' in ambush on Iraq prison convoy
(35 minutes later)
Suicide attackers have mounted a bomb and gun attack on a prison convoy in Iraq, killing 51 prisoners and nine police officers, security sources say.Suicide attackers have mounted a bomb and gun attack on a prison convoy in Iraq, killing 51 prisoners and nine police officers, security sources say.
Roadside bombs exploded as the convoy was taking the prisoners from the town of Taji to the capital, Baghdad, justice ministry and medical sources told Reuters. Roadside bombs exploded as the convoy was taking the prisoners from the town of Taji to the capital Baghdad 24km (15 miles) away, justice ministry and medical sources told Reuters.
Gunmen opened fire and a battle ensued with security forces, AFP reports.Gunmen opened fire and a battle ensued with security forces, AFP reports.
There were no immediate figures for casualties among the militants. It is thought the prisoners were being evacuated at the time.
The prisoners, who were suspected militants, had been evacuated in the convoy after mortar rounds hit military bases in Taji at dawn on Thursday, Iraqi officials told AP. The prisoners, who were suspected militants, were put in a convoy after mortar rounds hit military bases in Taji at dawn on Thursday, Iraqi officials told AP, speaking on condition of anonymity.
As the convoy travelled through a remote area, roadside bombs went off and the militants opened fire.
There were no immediate figures for casualties among the attackers.
The attack comes almost a year to the day since gunmen stormed prisons in Taji and Abu Ghraib, also in the Baghdad area, freeing hundreds of inmates.
Violent unrest in Iraq has surged again in recent weeks, after Sunni Islamist militants seized cities in the north-west and threatened to sweep south to Baghdad.
A suicide bomb killed at least 21 people in Baghdad on Tuesday, going off at a police checkpoint at the entrance to the Kadhimiya district as people travelled to a Shia Muslim shrine in the area.