Iraq violence claims over a dozen lives

There have been fresh clashes between Iraqi security forces and anti-government gunmen, leaving over a dozen dead across the Arab country.

Officials said that nine members of Iraqi security forces were among the victims on Wednesday. Three gunmen were also killed in the fighting.

Clashes between security forces and protesters near the northern town of Hawijah sparked deadly conflicts on Tuesday.

Recently Iraq has been witnessing a sharp escalation of the confrontation between Shiites and Sunnis, which threatens to erupt into a sectarian war. Just the past two days of clashes have claimed the lives of some 130 Iraqis, leaving nearly 250 injured.

Sunni armed units claimed control over the town Suleiman Bek located in north of Iraqi capital Baghdad after a day of deadliest fighting on Wednesday. According to local authorities, government forces have been completely ousted from the town.

In addition, as reported by the Iraqi media, currently an armed unit is storming the police headquarters in Mosul in the north.

In skirmishes with militants three policemen were killed and five wounded. Over 20 patrol cars were torched, reports ITAR-TASS.