Gunmen kill eleven in north Iraq bus ambush

Gunmen attacked a minibus near the Iraqi city of Baquba this morning, killing 11 civilians.

Gunmen attacked a minibus near the Iraqi city of Baquba this morning, killing 11 civilians.

Police corrected an earlier account of the incident in which they had said seven people were killed when a booby-trapped car exploded. Lieutenant-Colonel Salman al-Dahlagi said the initial report was based on an erroneous witness statement.

A U.S soldier inspects debris from a mini-bus after a bomb attack in Baquba today
A U.S soldier inspects debris from a mini-bus after a bomb attack in Baquba today

The 11 victims were among a group of people travelling to work at an electrical equipment factory on the outskirts of Baquba, northeast of Baghdad.

The gunmen stopped the minibus, forced the passengers to get out and then shot the men among them.

Baquba, the capital of Diyala province, 65 km from Baghdad, has seen considerable violence on the part of Sunni Arab guerrillas in the past year.

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • Sign up for push alerts to get the best breaking news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone

  • Listen to In The News podcast daily for a deep dive on the stories that matter