Gunmen break into home of anti-al-Qaida militiamen north of Baghdad, kill 7 family members

BAGHDAD – Officials say gunmen have broken into the home of two anti-al-Qaida militiamen north of Baghdad, killing seven family members.

A police officer says the gunmen were armed with pistols fitted with silencers when they stormed the house at dawn Wednesday in the town of Tarmiyah.

The officer says a man, two women and four children aged between six and 14 years old were killed. The town is located about 30 miles (50 kilometers) north of Baghdad.

A health official confirmed the death toll. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to talk to the media.

Since the height of Iraq's insurgency, Sunni Arabs who joined forces with the U.S. military to fight al-Qaida have been favorite targets for Sunni militants who consider them traitors.