Bloody siege in Tikrit masterminded by suspected Al-Qa'ida militants

Iraqi officials have said that the bloody siege in the town of Tikrit, the capital of the Salahuddin province, was masterminded by suspected Al-Qa'ida militants. It is estimated that more than 50 people were killed in a fierce gun-battle, which ended when the attackers blew themselves up.

The siege, which to took place near a local government building, left about 100 people injured. Local government officials and an Iraqi journalist were among those killed in the attack, which began at 1300 local time (1000 GMT) and lasted several hours.

Masked gunmen wearing military uniforms blew up a car outside the council headquarters to create a diversion, then raided the building and shot more than a dozen people, including three lawmakers.

The northern provinces of Salahuddin, Diyala and Ninewa continue to be attacked by insurgents. Speaking about the latest one, Salahuddin Governor Ahmed Abdullah said it was "a tragic incident carried out by ruthless terrorists".

Sources: BBC News, Washington Post, AP

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