Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

    BAGHDAD, May 20 (Xinhua) -- A suicide chlorine truck bomb hit a police checkpoint outside the Iraqi city of Ramadi, 110km west of Baghdad, on Sunday, sickening 11 people, local police said.

    Policemen at the checkpoint opened fire on the truck as it was approaching their position, but the suicide bomber blew it up and released the poison gas, the source said.

    Some insurgent groups frequently used chlorine gas as chemical weapon in Iraq, mainly in the volatile Unbar province.

    Such attacks inflicting massive loss of life as the gas burns the skin on contact and can be fatal after a few breaths.