Shia family murdered by Sunni insurgents: police
Last Updated Thu, 29 Dec 2005 11:26:48 EST
CBC News

At least 11 Shia family members who had been warned to leave the Sunni district south of Baghdad were killed Thursday after assailants broke into their home, police said.

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There were conflicting reports about how the family members died.

Reuters reported the assailants broke into the home, tied up the seven men and four women, and slit their throats.

However, police Capt. Hussein Shamil told the Associated Press that 12 family members, all men, were taken from their homes, packed into a minivan and shot.

Police said the family had refused to move out of the predominantly Sunni district of Latifiya, about 20 kilometres south of Baghdad, after being warned by insurgents.

Shia and Sunni families have been targets by gunmen from both sects trying to drive members out of certain areas.