Iraq’s Defense Minister Unharmed after Sniper Hits Convoy

Iraq’s Defense Minister Unharmed after Sniper Hits Convoy
Wed Sep 9, 2015 14:35:37

Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi’s convoy came under sniper fire but he was unharmed, a ministry spokesman said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which joint operations spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Rasool said took place in the Western outskirts of the town of Beiji, 190 km (120 miles) North of Baghdad, Reuters reported.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said the battle over Beiji and its refinery is critical to the fight against the ISIL terrorists.

Obeidi was in Baiji as part of a field visit to Salahuddin province. He earlier inspected troops at Camp Speicher, a former US military base, and later toured Tikrit, a ministry statement said.

“The minister is well and safe,” Rasool said, adding a guard had been lightly injured in the attack; FNA reported.

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