UPDATE: 55 killed and wounded in Bank raid in Baghdad

[k98nights]

55 killed and wounded in Bank raid in Baghdad

Sunday, June 13th 2010 5:48 PM

Baghdad, June 13 (AKnews) - Dozens of civilians and staff workers of Iraq's Central Bank have been killed and injured today after gunmen broke into the building in an attempt to rob the bank, according to security sources, and police have surrounded the area to rescue the rest of the workers and deal with the situation.

The gunmen, who were estimated to be dozens, broke into the bank in military uniforms earlier today, who now have complete control over the bank, a source, who preferred anonymity, said.

The insurgents were also wearing explosive vests who are in control of the Central Bank in Baghdad city's Al-Rasheed Street.

Fifteen staff workers of the bank have been killed after the gunmen detonated bombs in the bank, and 40 others have been injured.

Shortly after the attack, security forces surrounded the bank keeping the insurgents inside, who said later they were preparing to use force to storm the building to rescue the the hostages, and bring the gunmen to justice.

But the gunmen were suicidal and controlled the surface of the building placing a number of snipers on top making it difficult for security forces to go near the bank who are engaged in fire exchange with the police.

Security forces have recovered the bodies of the dead staff workers and forces are preparing to enter the building in the coming hours under the supervision of senior officers of the Interior and Defense Ministries, the same source added.

sa/ry (AKnews)

http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/3/154780/

[Traconesu02]

Thanks for posting k98. Sure would be nice if they could get their stories straight over there.

The report I posted earlier said : “The gunmen tried to enter” the Central Bank, “but guards fought them off.”

http://www.nytimes.c...ast/14iraq.html

Now this report that you have posted says : Shortly after the attack, security forces surrounded the bank keeping the insurgents inside.

http://www.aknews.co...knews/3/154780/

This is going to be an on going story for sure.

[EBJNYC]

The terrorists money supply has been cut off and now they are desperate for money....sad world over there....

Iran is BEHIND THIS -- attempting to thwart the political process and Iraq forward. Maliki the Iranian puppett is OUT and Allawi with KURDS and SADR are in -- thus Iran loses Maliki and Iraq !!!

Edited June 13, 2010 by EBJNYC

[Traconesu02]

And here is yet another link:

Gunmen try to storm Iraq's central bank; 15 deadBy SINAN SALAHEDDIN (AP) – 41 minutes ago

BAGHDAD — Gunmen trying to rob Iraq's central bank battled security forces for hours Sunday after bombs ripped through a nearby area, leaving at least 15 dead, the Iraqi military said.

A senior security official said initial reports indicated no money had been stolen from the vaults of the nation's top financial institution.

The violence began with a number of bombs that exploded within 10 minutes in a marketplace near the central bank compound in Baghdad as employees were leaving for the day, police said.

The blasts — which sent plumes of smoke over the city skyline — came a day before the Iraqi parliament was scheduled to convene more than three months after inconclusive March elections. The violence underscored fears insurgents will try to exploit the political deadlock to stage more attacks.

Violent robberies that bear some of the hallmarks of politically motivated attacks have been on the rise in Iraq, as sectarian violence ebbs. Iraqi officials have attributed at least some of them to cash-strapped militants desperately trying to raise money for their operations.

Maj. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi said it was a well-planned, coordinated attack that bore the hallmarks of al-Qaida in Iraq.

The first bomb went off on the road near an electrical generator, he said. Insurgents wearing army uniforms tried to enter the bank through two entrances, exchanging gunfire with the guards, he told Iraqi state TV in an interview.

Iraqi security forces then stormed the building, prompting a standoff in which some of the militants who were wearing suicide vests blew themselves up, he added.

Al-Moussawi said at least 15 people were killed in the bombings and gunbattles, but he insisted the situation was now under control and said initial reports indicated no money had been stolen.

"The criminal terrorist gang chose the end of the working day to create a confusing situation or to infiltrate among the employees," he said, adding security would be increased for Monday's opening parliamentary session.

Insurgents have targeted government institutions several times over the past year.

Police and hospital officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to release the information, said there were six bombings and at least 16 people were killed and nearly 50 wounded — most in the bombings that tore through a commercial hub near the bank compound.

Conflicting casualty tolls are common in the chaotic aftermath of bombings.

http://www.google.co...SCiqGwD9GAHJF00

Edited June 13, 2010 by Traconesu02

[taxguy]

Iran is BEHIND THIS -- attempting to thwart the political process and Iraq forward. Maliki the Iranian puppett is OUT and Allawi with KURDS and SADR are in -- thus Iran loses Maliki and Iraq !!!

Do you know where Sadr is now? He lives in Iraq and is a total Iranian puppet, much more so that Maliki.

[Munsch]

The terrorists money supply has been cut off and now they are desperate for money....sad world over there....

Either that or they have insider information of a soon RV and want to get rich too. GO RV!!

[luckylucy]

why attack CBI and not a regular bank ... my guess is maybe, just maybe because of the new currency notes being held there ... why take the stuff that is one day soon (6 months or more even) going to be worthless? just a thought at 6am . Looks like the thieves have some good inside info and I'd honestly bet on their info before I would "our intel" though looks they've heard what we have heard.

best place to get the good stuff before it is spread all over the country and world.... imo.

why attack CBI and not a regular bank ... my guess is maybe, just maybe because of the new currency notes being held there ... why take the stuff that is one day soon (6 months or more even) going to be worthless? just a thought at 6am . Looks like the thieves have some good inside info and I'd honestly bet on their info before I would "our intel" though looks they've heard what we have heard.

CBI is probably the best place to get the good stuff before it is spread all over the country and world.... imo.