2nd LD: Iraqi forces foil multiple suicide attacks at gas plant near Baghdad, 7 killed

Up to seven security members and civilian workers were killed and 24 others wounded on Sunday, as Iraqi security forces foiled an attempt by Islamic State (IS) suicide bombers to seize and destroy a gas plant in a northern suburb of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, an Interior Ministry source said.

"Our latest report said that seven people were killed and 24 wounded from both security members and civilian workers at the gas plant, while two suicide car bombers and six others wearing explosive vests were also killed by the troops," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

In the early morning hours, two suicide bombers rammed their explosive-laden vehicles into the gate of the gas plant and detonated them at Taji area to let six other suicide bombers wearing explosive vests to enter the facility and set fires to two gas reservoirs, the source said.

The security forces fought fierce clashes with the attackers inside the facility and managed to kill them all, but two gas reservoirs were set ablaze, the source added.

An Iraqi AIN news agency published a video showing a gas reservoir was on fire for a while, then a massive explosion occurred and very large plume of fire rose high above the scene.

Earlier, the source put the toll of security members and the plant employees at three killed and 13 wounded.

"The situation in the gas plant is under control after the security forces killed all the suicide bombers, and now fire engines and civil defense teams are putting out the fires," the source said.

Iraq has been currently witnessing a wave of violence since the IS group took control of parts of Iraq's northern and western regions in June 2014.

Earlier, a report by the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq estimated that 741 Iraqis were killed and 1,374 others were wounded in acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflicts across Iraq in April. Endit