Special report:Tension escalates in Iraq

    BAGHDAD, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- A senior official in Iraq's Health Ministry survived assassination attempt in central Baghdad on Wednesday, a well-informed police source said.

    "Gunmen opened fire at the convoy of Hani Musa Badr, head of the main medical compound of Madinat al-Tib, in Waziriyah district while he was heading to his work," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

    Badr survived unhurt, but three of his bodyguards were wounded in the attack, the source added.

    In a separate incident, a roadside bomb went off in the morning near a police patrol in Karradah neighborhood, damaging a police vehicle and wounding three policemen aboard, the source said.

    Insurgents frequently attack Iraqi security forces and government employees, accusing them of collaborating with U.S.occupation.