Deadly battle over Iraq prisoner convoy

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/24/iraq-prisoner-convoy-attack-taji-baghdad

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Gunmen attacked a prisoner convoy north of Baghdad on Thursday, setting off a battle with troops in which 52 prisoners and eight soldiers were killed, officials said.

The dawn attack began with militants firing mortar rounds on Iraqi army bases in the town of Taji, 12 miles north of Baghdad, where suspects were being held on terrorism charges. Officials evacuated the facilities fearing a jailbreak.

As the convoy travelled through a remote area, roadside bombs went off and militants opened fire. The ensuing battle left 52 prisoners and eight soldiers dead, with another seven prisoners and eight soldiers wounded.

It was not immediately clear whether the prisoners were killed by soldiers or militants.