Policemen die as Iraq security site stormed

The three-hour stand-off between Shiite-dominated security forces and suspected Sunni insurgents in the Anbar province capital of Ramadi, 70 miles west of Baghdad, marked the first serious gun battle for Iraqi forces against insurgents without American back-up since the US military completed its withdrawal last month.

Five gunmen wearing military uniforms and explosive-rigged vests stormed a compound in Ramadi, two police officials said. The compound houses Ramadi police headquarters and several federal security agencies, including an anti-terrorism police task force and a detention facility where terrorism suspects are interrogated.

Before reaching the compound the gunmen set off an explosives-filled car in the eastern part of the city, in an apparent effort to draw security personnel from the heavily guarded government area. One policeman was killed and three others were injured in the blast.

“There were explosions in other parts of Ramadi meant to attract the attention of police and engage them,” said Dhari Arkan, the deputy governor of the region.