Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Insurgents storm Mosul prison and free inmates
Insurgency
(AFP) There was a further blow to the security forces on Tuesday, when a large force of Al-Qaeda militants stormed a prison outside the northern city of Mosul and freed 140 inmates -- including foreign Arab fighters.
Hasham al-Hamadani, the head of Nineveh province's security committee, said fighters loyal to Al-Qaeda kingpin Omar al-Baghdadi had infiltrated the area around Mosul and masterminded the jailbreak.
"They attacked the prison today with a large number of insurgents armed with light and medium weapons, like machineguns. They didn't face much resistance from the guards, because they overwhelmed them," he said.
"They were driving Opel sedans and pick ups," he said. "The entered the jail and freed between 140 and 150 prisoners, including Arabs and foreign fighters. A US helicopter arrived and opened fire, killing five escapees.
"The prison is now under control again, since American forces arrived." At the start of the year Badush jail was holding 1,200 of the most dangerous prisoners in Iraq, including 100 foreign fighters.
Hasham al-Hamadani, the head of Nineveh province's security committee, said fighters loyal to Al-Qaeda kingpin Omar al-Baghdadi had infiltrated the area around Mosul and masterminded the jailbreak.
"They attacked the prison today with a large number of insurgents armed with light and medium weapons, like machineguns. They didn't face much resistance from the guards, because they overwhelmed them," he said.
"They were driving Opel sedans and pick ups," he said. "The entered the jail and freed between 140 and 150 prisoners, including Arabs and foreign fighters. A US helicopter arrived and opened fire, killing five escapees.
"The prison is now under control again, since American forces arrived." At the start of the year Badush jail was holding 1,200 of the most dangerous prisoners in Iraq, including 100 foreign fighters.
COMMENT: This is a strong, new bold move for Al-Qaeda in Iraq, and could indicate that their tactics continue to evolve as has been revealed with the recent chlorine bombs. It is a show of strength to make a point that they can easily carry out such an operation and may do so again. COMMENT ENDS.
Labels: Al Qaeda in Iraq, Badush jail, Mosul
