Islamic State attacks natural gas plant near Baghdad

Footage from battle, in which 11 people are killed, shows a massive fireball soaring into the sky

By AP and ToI Staff 15 May 2016, 11:24 am Edit
A member of the Iraqi security forces stands guard as civilians look at the damage following a car bomb attack in Sadr City, a Shiite area north of the capital Baghdad, on May 11, 2016. (AFP PHOTO / AHMAD AL-RUBAYE)
A member of the Iraqi security forces stands guard as civilians look at the damage following a car bomb attack in Sadr City, a Shiite area north of the capital Baghdad, on May 11, 2016. (AFP PHOTO / AHMAD AL-RUBAYE)

Fighters attacked a state-run natural gas plant outside the Iraqi capital on Sunday morning, killing at least 11 people, officials said.

A police officer said the assault started at dawn with a suicide car bomber hitting the main gate of the plant in the town of Taji, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Baghdad. Then several suicide bombers and others broke into the plant and clashed with the security forces.

He added that 15 other troops were wounded.

A medical official confirmed the casualty figures. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release information.

Amateur footage from the attack showed a massive fireball exploding into the sky above the Iraqi capital.

The Islamic State has recently increased its attacks far from the front lines in a campaign that Iraqi officials say is an attempt to distract from its recent battlefield losses.

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