Two Baghdad municipal police officers killed in clashes during demolition in Duhok area

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Baghdad Municipality said two of its police personnel were killed and four others wounded during clashes that erupted on Thursday while crews were removing encroachments and unauthorized structures in the southern Duwar area. In a statement issued Thursday, the municipality's General Directorate of Media and Relations identified the fallen officers as Brigadier General Hisham Muhammad Talla, head of the Baghdad Municipality's Karkh Police Directorate, and Commissioner Khalid Abbas Lutfa. The municipality said two police officers and two municipal employees were also injured in the attack and transferred to hospital for treatment. It added that its personnel were carrying out their lawful duty to maintain urban order and carry out service projects. The Baghdad Municipality said the attacks would not shake its commitment to protecting the city's master plan and carrying out its responsibilities. It added that legal action would be taken against those responsible for the incident and that judicial proceedings would follow.