Al Qaeda Jailbreaks in Iraq Could Bring More Chaos
Mourners pray at the coffin of a victim killed during an attack on a prison in Taji, during a funeral at the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf, 160 km (100 miles) south of Baghdad July 22, 2013. Sixteen soldiers and six militants were killed during an attack on the prison on Sunday in Taji, around 20 km (12 miles) north of Baghdad, but guards managed to prevent any inmates escaping. The attack was conducted simultaneously and followed a similar pattern as the attack on Abu Ghraib jail, where hundreds of convicts, including senior members of al Qaeda, managed to flee. Picture taken July 22, 2013. REUTERS/Haider Ala (IRAQ – Tags: POLITICS RELIGION CIVIL UNREST) – RTX11VLZ
An Al Qaeda affiliate in Iraq is claiming responsibility for this week's attacks on two prisons outside of Baghdad, where hundreds of prisoners were set free — including senior Al Qaeda leaders.
At least 20 security guards in the jailbreaks that took place overnight on Sunday.
The main target was the Abu Ghraib prison, made infamous in 2004 after images came out showing US soldiers abusing detainees. The World's host, Carol Hills spoke with Michael Crowley of Time magazine.
We also talked this morning with Mohamad Ali Harissi, AFP bureau chief in Baghdad. In the Soundcloud below, he talks about the prison attacks.