Security forces stormed a Catholic church in Baghdad to free dozens of hostages.
The gunmen had demanded the release of jailed al-Qaeda militants. The Islamic State of Iraq, a Sunni militant umbrella group to which al-Qaeda in Iraq belongs, claimed responsibility for the attack.
The group said Iraqi Christians would be "exterminated"...[a]t least 52 people were killed.
One eyewitness, who was inside the church, said the gunmen "came into the prayer hall and immediately killed the priest". The witness, who declined to give his name, said worshippers were beaten and herded into an inne hall.
There was an hours-long stand-off as security forces surrounded the building with helicopters hovering overhead.
(BBC News)
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