Head of Saddam Hussein's tribe killed

The head of Saddam Hussein’s tribe was killed when gunmen attacked a meeting in the office of a prominent sheikh in Tikrit, police said today.

Mahmoud Ali Hussein al-Nida, head of the Baijat tribe, died following the attack around 7.30pm local time yesterday.

The gunmen also killed a lawyer and wounded sheikh Mizahim al-Mustafa, police Lt. Ahmed Asaad said. Two other civilians caught in the crossfire also were killed, Asaad said.

The Baijat tribe includes several clans, including Saddam’s Albu-Nassir clan. Al-Nida was not directly related to Saddam.

In other violence today, police in Diyala province said five bodies were found on the streets in Muqdadiyah, about 60 miles north of Baghdad.

At least seven others were injured when a roadside bomb exploded near a passing minivan in east Baghdad.

Gunmen also killed a police officer in front of his office in Mosul, police said.