14/12/2013 10:47
Iranian workers killed in Iraq pipeline attack
Fifteen Iranian and three Iraqi gas pipeline workers have been shot dead by gunmen north-east of Baghdad, the BBC reported.
The attackers sped up in three cars before opening fire on the workers as they dug a trench to extend the pipeline near the city of Baquba.
Another five Iranians and two Iraqis were wounded in the attack.
At least 17 people were killed in separate attacks elsewhere in Iraq on Friday and 22 terrorism suspects escaped from detention.
The gas pipeline workers were digging a trench to extend the line, intended to connect Iraq's gas network to supplies from neighbouring Iran.
A worker injured in the attack told Reuters that the gunmen approached them in three cars.
"Three of them got out of a car and started firing on the workers inside and outside the trench," Ibrahem Aziz said by phone from hospital.
Security sources told the BBC that the attack happened in a predominantly Sunni area near the city of Baquba, some 50km (30 miles) north of Baghdad.