Tikrit – Iraqi Defence Minister Khaled al-Obeidi escaped unharmed on Monday after his convoy came under machine gun fire north of Baghdad, security officials said.
One of al-Obeidi’s guards was injured in the incident, which occurred as the minister was returning from inspecting forces in Baiji, about 240km north of the capital, the officials said.
Baiji is the most northerly government outpost on the road to Iraq’s second city, Mosul, which is held by the Islamic State extremist organisation.
Islamic State militants also remain holed up inside parts of Baiji’s oil refinery, the biggest in Iraq.
DPA
Source: News24
South Africa Today – World News
