Sunni militants overtake part of town in NIraq
BAGHDAD (AP) — A local official says Sunni insurgents have taken over part of a town in northern Iraq, compounding the challenge facing the Shiite-led government as it battles for control of a volatile province west of Baghdad.
Local official Talib Mohammed Mustafa says insurgents first attacked military positions in the town of Sulaiman Bek Thursday, then they seized control of several streets and deployed snipers on the roofs of some buildings.
He says sporadic clashes have broken out with security forces, causing casualties among civilians. But he didn't provide a breakdown.
The town is 110 kilometers (70 miles) north of Baghdad.
The government has been fighting for control of areas in Anbar province since late December, and the violence has spilled over to other mainly Sunni areas elsewhere in the country.
