Gunmen in Iraq kill three guards

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BAGHDAD, Jul 24 (Internet): A member of a US-allied Sunni group in Iraq says three of its guards have been killed and another wounded in drive-by shootings in northern Baghdad.

The official says gunmen in a speeding car opened fire on two different awakening council checkpoints in the Azamiyah neighborhood Thursday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of security concerns.

Azamiyah has seen a sharp decline in violence after a local Sunni decision to join forces with the United States against al-Qaida in Iraq.