Abdelwahad, 39, a correspondent for Al-Ayn news agency, and Sabah al-Bazi, 30, a correspondent for Al-Arabiya and contributor to Reuters and CNN,
were killed when gunmen wearing military uniforms seized control of a
provincial government building in Tikrit, capital of Saleheddin province.
The journalists were covering a provincial council meeting
when the assailants–using car bombs, explosive vests, and grenades–mounted an
assault on the government building in Tikrit, local and international news reported. At least 58
people were killed and nearly 100 were injured during the hours-long siege, according
to news reports. Security forces regained control of the building after a
fierce shootout, news reports said.