Council Headquarters in Iraq Under Seige, Hostages Taken (Updated)

Deadly Siege Unfolds in Iraq at Council Headquarters

Update 3 (3:10pm Central time)

Iraqi security forces wrestled control of a provincial council headquarters from gunmen who stormed the building on Tuesday and took hostages.

Police say at least 53 people were killed and nearly 100 injured during the hours-long siege in Tikrit.

Update 2 (11:51am Central time)

A tense standoff is underway in the Iraqi city of Tikrit where at least 41 people have been killed after gunmen stormed into the provincial council headquarters on Tuesday.

Iraqi officials said Tuesday at least 65 people have been wounded in the siege, which some authorities are blaming on al-Qaida. There are conflicting reports on whether the gunmen are holding hostages.

Witnesses say

the gunmen in were wearing military uniforms and suicide vests as they stormed into the building. Investigators say at least one gunman detonated explosives to clear the way for the others to enter.

Officials say a short while later, a car exploded outside of the building, killing a journalist and several law enforcement officers. Also, the Associated Press quotes the provincial governor as saying three lawmakers inside the building have been killed.

Authorities say the attackers have been hurling grenades at law enforcement officers.

Police have imposed a curfew in Tikrit, which is about 140 kilometers north of Baghdad. Tikrit is the hometown of the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

Update 1:  AP reporting U.S. Troops on the scene at the request of Iraq, 2 police officers dead outside, scores wounded inside building.  Hostages being held include lawmakers and employees.  Pedestrian and vehicle traffic curfew is in place.

Also a rocket attack has occurred in the Green Zone today killing one civilian and wounding several others.  Turkey's prime minister is visiting to enhance trade relations with Iraq.

 

VOA News Tuesday, March 29th, 2011 Iraqi security officials say at least three have been killed after a suicide bomber and gunmen wearing military uniforms stormed the provincial council headquarters in Tikrit.

It is not clear how many people were inside the building when the siege began Tuesday. However, the Associated Press quotes the provincial governor as saying he has lost contact with three lawmakers who were inside.

Security forces have surrounded the building.

Tikrit, located about 140 kilometers north of Baghdad, is the hometown of the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.