Iraq arrests 12 suspects in Baghdad church attack (Reuters)

Posted in November 27th, 2010 by admin in World News Tags: bloodiest, christian cathedral, christian minority, church, connection, government ministry, islamic state of iraq, jason benham, jim loney, Ministry, Reuters, Salvation, salvation church, security BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi security forces arrested 12 suspected al Qaeda members on Saturday in connection with an attack on a Christian cathedral in Baghdad, a security official said.
 Fifty-two hostages and police were killed when Iraqi forces tried to free more than 100 Catholics taken hostage at the Our Lady of Salvation church during Sunday mass on November 1.
 The attack was the bloodiest against Iraq’s Christian minority since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.
 General Ahmed Abu Ragheef, the Interior Ministry’s head of internal affairs, said security forces had arrested 12 al Qaeda members including one of the group’s Baghdad commanders.
 “Iraqi forces have successfully arrested the terrorist group involved in the attack on the church in Baghdad,” he said, adding they had an al Qaeda leader.
 Ragheef said security forces seized 6.5 tonnes of explosives planned for use against a government ministry, hotels and the Christian community.
 The Islamic State of Iraq, an al Qaeda affiliate, claimed responsibility for the church attack.
 (Reporting by Muhanad Mohammed, writing by Jim Loney; Editing by Jason Benham

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