Iraqi forces arrested an MP on Saturday, killing his brother and atleast three guards in a raid on his residence in the western Iraqi city of Ramadi.
MP Ahmed al-Awlani is a member of the Sunni community and has been backing protests against the mainly Shia government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. He was reportedly wanted on charges of terrorism.
According to police, Alwani’s guards opened fire on the forces when the raid began, the ensuing battle resulted in casualties.
“Security forces attacked the residence of MP Ahmed al-Alwani in central Ramadi to arrest him this morning, sparking a battle with his guards with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades,” a police major told the news agencies.
“Five of Alwani’s guards and his brother were killed and eight others wounded, while 10 security forces members were also wounded,” the major said.
Some reports suggest that a sister of the MP is also among those killed in the raid.