Al-Qaida supporters blamed as two killed in assault on government building

The firefight at a state-run transport company was one of several attacks that left 11 dead across the city, and came as Iraq grapples with a stubborn insurgency in the country’s western Anbar province. Government troops are trying to oust al Qaida-linked fighters and their allies from cities in the area.

At least six gunmen were involved in yesterday’s attack, the Interior Ministry said. The attackers stormed the state-run Company for Transportation in Baghdad’s Canal Street, where numerous government offices are located.

The police shot and killed four of the militants inside the building while the other two blew themselves up at the entrance. The stand-off ended with at least one employee and a policeman killed.

Iraqi troops sealed off the area as armed vehicles rushed to the scene. At least one army helicopter was seen hovering overhead.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but such attacks are frequently the work of an 
al- Qaida supporting group.