Iraq jail attacks 'foiled' but hundreds escape

Hundreds of inmates have escaped from two Iraqi prisons after gunmen stormed two jails near Baghdad.

Fighting raged for several hours after the jails - Abu Ghraib to the west of the capital and Taji to the north - came under attack.

At least 20 members of the security forces were killed.

But speaking to the media shortly after the attacks, Interior Minister, Wissam al-Firaiji said that the jails were under control and that the attacks had be "foiled".