12-15-2003, 08:11 PM
<b>Nearly 100 Saddam supporters attack Baghdad police stations</b>
Some 100 supporters of deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein attacked two police stations in northern Baghdad with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) this afternoon, an officer said on Monday.
Police Lieutenant Haidar Zuheir said the Saddam loyalists struck at the police stations in the Adhamiyeh district a day after US forces announced the capture of the deposed Iraqi dictator.
"About 100 assailants attacked two neighbourhood police stations with automatic weapons and RPGs from rooftops and the street," he said, without reporting any casualties.
Witnesses said the clashes broke out during a pro-Saddam demonstration.
Police opened fire to disperse the demonstrators who were firing in the air, witness Ali Abdul Jaber said.
Gunfire continued for several hours, but a US foot patrol was later seen headed for the centre of Adhamiyeh.
Tension has been running high in the Sunni district, which was the scene of Saddam's last public appearance before the April 9 fall of Baghdad, since the announcement of his capture.
Some 200 people held a pro-Saddam demonstration in Adhamiyeh last evening.
In deadly violence Monday targeting police, seen as collaborating with the US-led occupation forces, two nearly simultaneous car bombs killed at least eight people and wounded 17 at police stations to the west and north of Baghdad, police said.
Some 100 supporters of deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein attacked two police stations in northern Baghdad with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) this afternoon, an officer said on Monday.
Police Lieutenant Haidar Zuheir said the Saddam loyalists struck at the police stations in the Adhamiyeh district a day after US forces announced the capture of the deposed Iraqi dictator.
"About 100 assailants attacked two neighbourhood police stations with automatic weapons and RPGs from rooftops and the street," he said, without reporting any casualties.
Witnesses said the clashes broke out during a pro-Saddam demonstration.
Police opened fire to disperse the demonstrators who were firing in the air, witness Ali Abdul Jaber said.
Gunfire continued for several hours, but a US foot patrol was later seen headed for the centre of Adhamiyeh.
Tension has been running high in the Sunni district, which was the scene of Saddam's last public appearance before the April 9 fall of Baghdad, since the announcement of his capture.
Some 200 people held a pro-Saddam demonstration in Adhamiyeh last evening.
In deadly violence Monday targeting police, seen as collaborating with the US-led occupation forces, two nearly simultaneous car bombs killed at least eight people and wounded 17 at police stations to the west and north of Baghdad, police said.