Gunmen attacked a cafe with gunfire and grenades north of the Iraqi capital and later detonated suicide belts against security forces in pursuit, officials said on Friday.
At least 16 people were killed and 30 wounded, including several members of the security forces, in the attack in Balad and the ensuing chase. Officials said the gunmen were from the ISIS, which claimed the attack in an online statement.
“A group of armed men from Daesh disguised in security forces uniforms attacked a cafe in Balad at around midnight, using grenades and gunfire,” Ammar Hekmat al-Baldawi, a Deputy Governor of Salaheddin province said.