Iraqi officials say death toll among security forces from prison assaults now 25

BAGHDAD – Iraqi officials say the death toll among security forces from insurgent attacks on two major prisons has jumped to 25.

The apparent prison break attempts on the Baghdad-area facilities in Taji and Abu Ghraib began late Sunday, with searches in surrounding areas continuing overnight.

Police and hospital officials who provided details of the attacks on Monday also reported 10 militants killed. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to release the information.

Authorities have not reported any prisoner escapes.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

A suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laded car into an army patrol in northern Iraq early Monday morning, killing at least 12 people, police and medical officials said.

The suicide bomber hit the patrol while traveling in a residential area in the city of Mosul, killing nine soldiers and three civilians, a police officer said. He added that 14 others, included four civilians, were wounded.

Mosul, 360 kilometers (220 miles) northwest of Baghdad, is one of Iraq's major flashpoints. A recent wave of bloodshed has killed more than 2,000 Iraqis since the start of April, the deadliest outbreak of violence in five years.

Also Monday, Iraqi officials put the casualty toll from attacks against two major prisons near Baghdad the night before at four soldiers and three policemen killed and 20 wounded.

Two police officers said the attacks started with bombs and mortar rounds at Taji prison, 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Baghdad. A suicide car bomber then attacked the main gate, sparking clashes between militants and the guards. Four soldiers were killed and eleven others wounded, they said.

In separate clashes at a prison in Abu Ghraib in Baghdad's western suburbs, three policemen were killed and nine others wounded, they added. Two car bombs and two explosives-laden belts were found later near the prison.

No prisoners escaped during either assault, they said.

Three medical officials confirmed the casualty figures. They spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release information.

More than 450 people have been killed so far in July, including at least 284 since the Muslim holy month of Ramadan began, according to an Associated Press count.