There were conflicting reports about whether the situation in Baqouba — once an al-Qaida stronghold — had been brought under control, and no immediate information about casualties.

Samira al-Shibli, a spokeswoman for the Diyala provincial council, said the shooting had stopped about an hour after the attack began outside the compound located 35 miles (60 kilometers) northeast of Baghdad.

Two officials with the Diyala Operations Command said at least some of the gunmen made their way into the compound and one of the officials said the gunmen took hostages. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

An Iraqi army officer, Col. Sabah al-Kuzi, said Iraqi and American military personnel stormed the building, killed two gunmen and were searching for a third. An American military spokesman said the military was looking into the situation but had no information at this time.

Reuters