Militants Escalate Attacks in Iraq

The attack began at 9:20 a.m. when a suicide car bomb exploded at the gates leading into the Diyala provincial council’s headquarters. As police officers raced to the blast, at least three militants attacked a second checkpoint, one detonating a suicide vest while the others sprayed guards and civilians with gunfire. The Interior Ministry said that a second car bomb was also used in the attack.By the time Iraqi security forces regained control of the compound about two hours later, four civilians and three police officers were dead. Three of the attackers were also killed.