Security forces thwarted an al-Qaeda attack Thursday (August 2nd) targeting al-Hoot prison in Taji, north of Baghdad, where several al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders and walis are jailed, the Iraqi Defence Ministry reported.

"An estimated 20 gunmen attacked the prison using four car bombs parked at the prison wall, as well as improvised explosive devices that exploded before the gunmen attacked the prison at 1 a.m. Thursday," said Col. Dhiya al-Wakeel, the Baghdad operations command spokesperson.

"Prison guards and nearby army forces engaged the attackers for three hours, and they killed three gunmen and arrested nine others. The search continues for the other fugitives," he said.

"Security forces are currently conducting an investigation with the [detained] to identify the planners and field commanders behind this attack," Al-Wakeel said.