A mortar attack on a government-run prison in Baghdad has killed at least five Iraqi inmates and wounded more than 20 other people.
An Iraqi security official initially said seven prisoners died in Monday's attack. The US military released a statement saying five detainees died.
Separately, the US military says an oil refinery fire in Baghdad on Monday was the result of an industrial accident, not a mortar attack as Iraqi officials initially reported.
The military says US soldiers who arrived at the Doura refinery in southern Baghdad determined that a pipe explosion caused the fire.
Reuters news agency quotes Iraq's oil ministry spokesman, Assim Jihad as saying the fire is now under control.
In other news, US and Iranian experts will meet next week (December 18th) in Baghdad to discuss Iraq security issues.
The discussions are part of an effort to lay the groundwork for a fourth ambassadorial-level session in a US-Iranian dialogue on Iraq that began last May.
US and Iranian officials have met three times this year in the Iraqi capital, but the talks ended inconclusively with each side blaming the other for Iraq's violence.
Acting State Department spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos told reporters today (Monday) that US officials hope Iran is prepared to contribute to lasting stability in Iraq.
Senior diplomat Marcie Ries will be the US representative to the upcoming talks. There was no immediate word on the Iranian delegation.
An Iraqi security official initially said seven prisoners died in Monday's attack. The US military released a statement saying five detainees died.
Separately, the US military says an oil refinery fire in Baghdad on Monday was the result of an industrial accident, not a mortar attack as Iraqi officials initially reported.
The military says US soldiers who arrived at the Doura refinery in southern Baghdad determined that a pipe explosion caused the fire.
Reuters news agency quotes Iraq's oil ministry spokesman, Assim Jihad as saying the fire is now under control.
In other news, US and Iranian experts will meet next week (December 18th) in Baghdad to discuss Iraq security issues.
The discussions are part of an effort to lay the groundwork for a fourth ambassadorial-level session in a US-Iranian dialogue on Iraq that began last May.
US and Iranian officials have met three times this year in the Iraqi capital, but the talks ended inconclusively with each side blaming the other for Iraq's violence.
Acting State Department spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos told reporters today (Monday) that US officials hope Iran is prepared to contribute to lasting stability in Iraq.
Senior diplomat Marcie Ries will be the US representative to the upcoming talks. There was no immediate word on the Iranian delegation.