BAGHDAD, April 3 (Xinhuanet) -- A group led by al-Qaida ally in Iraq Abu Mussab al-Zarqawi claimed on Sunday responsibility for a bold attack that left 44 US soldiers injured, according to a website statement.

    "Your brothers in the Organization of Al-Qaida in the Land of Two Rivers mounted a planned attack on Abu Ghuraib prison, where Muslim men and women are held," the statement said. Car bombs were detonated and rocket propelled grenades were fired, an attack followed by an overnight gun battle around the base taken by "infidel forces," it added.

    The group said it would provide a footage about the attack. The statement could not be verified.

    The US military said between 40 to 60 insurgents were involved in the assault, which wounded 44 soldiers and 12 detainees, but the prison was secured and locked.

    Most of the injuries were light, but several were serious, the US military said.

    The attack was the latest and the most fierce attack targeting the Abu Ghuraib detention center, taken by the US-led multinational forces as a forward base.

    It was unknown if any of the insurgents were arrested orsuffered casualties.

    Insurgents have previously shelled the prison, where prisoners were abused by US captors. The notorious detention center, 20 km west of Baghdad, holds more than 3,000 detainees. Enditem

Attack on Abu Ghuraib prison

    The number of the US soldiers wounded in the insurgent attack at a US military forward base west of Baghdad rose to 44 from an earlier count of 20, the US military said on Sunday.

    Most of the injuries were light, but several were serious, the US military said.

    The apparently well-organized assault was mounted Saturday by 40-60 insurgents at about 7:00 p.m. (0300 GMT). Two car bombs were first detonated, followed by rocket-propelled grenades, mortar rounds and small arms fire.

    The attack was targeting the Abu Ghuraib detention center taken by the US-led multinational forces as a forward operation base, in which twelve detainees were also wounded.

    It was not known if any of the insurgents carrying out the attack were arrested or suffered casualties.

    Insurgents have previously shelled the prison, center of the scandal of abuse of prisoners by US captors. The notorious detention center, 20 km west of Baghdad, holds currently more than 3,000 detainees. Enditem