Gunmen try to storm Iraq’s central bank and battle security forces after bombings; 15 dead

Gunmen try to storm Iraq’s central bank; 15 dead

BAGHDAD — Gunmen trying to rob Iraq’s central bank battled security forces for hours Sunday after bombs ripped through a nearby area, leaving at least 15 dead, the Iraqi military said.

A senior security official said initial reports indicated no money had been stolen from the vaults of the nation’s top financial institution.

The violence began with a number of bombs that exploded within 10 minutes in a marketplace near the central bank compound in Baghdad as employees were leaving for the day, police said.

The blasts — which sent plumes of smoke over the city skyline — came a day before the Iraqi parliament was scheduled to convene more than three months after inconclusive March elections. The violence underscored fears insurgents will try to exploit the political deadlock to stage more attacks.

Violent robberies that bear some of the hallmarks of politically motivated attacks have been on the rise in Iraq, as sectarian violence ebbs. Iraqi officials have attributed at least some of them to cash-strapped militants desperately trying to raise money for their operations.

Maj. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi said it was a well-planned, coordinated attack that bore the hallmarks of al-Qaida in Iraq.

The first bomb went off on the road near an electrical generator, he said. Insurgents wearing army uniforms tried to enter the bank through two entrances, exchanging gunfire with the guards, he told Iraqi state TV in an interview.

Iraqi security forces then stormed the building, prompting a standoff in which some of the militants who were wearing suicide vests blew themselves up, he added.

Al-Moussawi said at least 15 people were killed in the bombings and gunbattles, but he insisted the situation was now under control and said initial reports indicated no money had been stolen.

“The criminal terrorist gang chose the end of the working day to create a confusing situation or to infiltrate among the employees,” he said, adding security would be increased for Monday’s opening parliamentary session.

Insurgents have targeted government institutions several times over the past year.

Police and hospital officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to release the information, said there were six bombings and at least 16 people were killed and nearly 50 wounded — most in the bombings that tore through a commercial hub near the bank compound.

Conflicting casualty tolls are common in the chaotic aftermath of bombings.

Associated Press Writer Hadeel al-Shalchi contributed to this report.