Iraqi officials: 9 killed in attacks across Baghdad appearing to target police, military

Officials: 9 killed in attacks across Baghdad

BAGHDAD — At least nine people were killed on Monday in what appears to be a coordinated attack across the Iraqi capital targeting police and army personnel, Iraqi officials said.

They said the violence was mostly the work of gunmen in speeding cars attacking police and army checkpoints that dot the city as well as military patrols in the early morning hours, officials said.

At least 22 people were also injured in the attacks.

The first attack came around 3 a.m. in western Baghdad when gunmen in a speeding car opened fire on an army patrol, killing one soldier and injuring another, Iraqi officials said.

That incident was followed by at least six other attacks. Although most of them were drive-by shootings, a roadside bomb in western Baghdad targeting a police patrol killed two civilians.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Iraqi military and police fanned out across the city following the incidents, and additional checkpoints were set up in several Baghdad neighborhoods.

It was not immediately known who was behind the attacks or how many people were involved in the attacks which took place over roughly 2 1/2 hours in five different neighborhoods across the capital.

Insurgents have often targeted Iraqi police and army as a way to undermine the country’s fragile security and intimidate the security forces.