Iraq is currently grappling with its worst surge in violence since the sectarian bloodletting of 2006 and 2007, when the country was pushed to the brink of civil war despite the presence of tens of thousands of U.S. troops.
UPDATE: Militants who stormed a university in Iraq’s restive Anbar province and took students hostages have withdrawn.
The attack took place early Saturday morning at Anbar University near the provincial capital, Ramadi.
After seizing dozens of students, police and military officials say the gunmen later withdrew. They say the students boarded buses to leave and gunfire erupted between the gunmen and security forces.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they weren’t authorized to speak to journalists.
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Gunmen have stormed a university in the restive Anbar province west of Baghdad and are holding dozens of students hostage, Iraqi officials said Saturday.
Police and army officials say the attack took place Saturday morning when gunmen stormed Anbar University near the provincial capital Ramadi, parts of which have been held by Islamic extremists and other anti-government militants for months. The gunmen have detained dozens of students inside the university dormitory, they said.
Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the media.
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