BAGHDAD (AP) – The Islamic State group launched a coordinated assault Sunday on a natural gas plant north of Baghdad that killed at least 12 people, according to Iraqi officials.
The attack started at dawn with a suicide car bomber hitting the main gate of the plant in the town of Taji, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Baghdad. Then several suicide bombers and militants broke into the plant and clashed with the security forces, an official said, adding that 25 troops were wounded.
A medical official confirmed the casualty figures. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release information.
The IS-affiliated Aamaq news agency credited a group of “Caliphate soldiers” for the attack.
In a statement, Deputy Oil Minister Hamid Younis said firefighters managed to control and extinguish a fire caused by the explosions. Younis said technicians were examining the damage.