Al-Qaeda responsible for September attack on Tikrit prison

Elements of the Iraqi special forces at a checkpoint in Baghdad Baghdad – Jaafar al Nasrawy An Al-Qaeda organisation in Iraq confirmed the death of five of its member on Friday. It also claimed responsibility for the September attack on Tasfirat prison in the northern city of Tikrit, in which dozens of its “sentenced to death” members escaped.
The Islamic State of Iraq organisation, which belongs to Al-Qaeda, published a statement Friday on its website stating:  “The attack operation on Tasfirat prison in Tikrit started by penetrating the security system of the prison and smuggling silenced weapons - in addition to hand bombs as well as explosive belts to the prisoners who took over the prison. At the same time others outside the prison killed guards at the front gate by exploding a car bomb and closing all the roads which lead to the security building to prevent the support of the police forces.”
The statement added: "The first stage was accomplished as planned. After killing all the guards and officers and taking their weapons, the attack on the investigation rooms and the detainee halls began. The archives and offices of the prison were targeted where the database and information about the detainees and the wanted criminals were destroyed. Some important documents were burnt and others were taken."
"Three vehicles were taken over by some the detainees; they killed the guards and retreated to the formerly agreed destination point. Other detainee escaped faking to be part of the infantry police."
According to the statement, the operation resulted in the death of five Al-Qaeda members, releasing dozens and the death and injury of about eight policemen including an officer. The prison director Brigadier General Laith al-Sagmani was badly injured so that his limbs were paralyzed."
The Ministry said that security forces in Saladdin province killed four and arrested 31 of the escaping prisoners.
On October 6, the Iraqi Minister of Justice linked the escape of the prisoners to armed groups outside the country which, according to the Ministry, was a result of the political unrest.
The Ministry said he armed groups blackmailed the guards of the prisons, and announced arresting all the officials in charge of the prison and referring them to court.
Before the attack, Tasfirat prison included more than 350 prisoners, including prisoners sentenced to death.
After the riots of 2011, official authorities decided to distribute the prisoners on other centres.
In April 2012, the prison interrupted a mass escape through tunnels dug by the prisoners.
Other riots and violence occurred in March 23, 2011 where the arrested burnt some of the prison’s sections in protest against being mistreated. This resulted into the injury of 15 people, including a senior officer.
Upon the transfer of 13 prisoners to Baghdad being legally charged, the same prison was subject to violence in November 23, 2011.
Saladdin province in Baghdad, and its centre Tikrit (170 km north Baghdad), is frequently witnessing violent attacks targeting civilians and security forces, as well as the security forces are frequently inspecting the province arresting dozens of persons charged of terrorism and criminal assaults.