RAMADI, Iraq, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Doctors removed the left hand of the governor of Iraq's Anbar province because of injuries sustained in twin suicide attacks in Ramadi.
Two bombers detonated their explosive devices near government buildings in the provincial capital of Anbar, killing more than 20 people, mostly police and security officials.
Anbar provincial Gov. Qassim Mohammed Abid al-Fahdawi was transferred by military helicopter to a hospital in Baghdad because of injuries suffered during the blasts. Doctors later removed his left hand, though he was listed in stable condition, the Voices of Iraq news agency reports.
Saadon Abdul Muhsen al-Kharbeet, a member of the Anbar provincial council, died from wounds he suffered during the Wednesday attacks.
The insurgency that pushed Iraq to the brink of civil war in 2007 started as al-Qaida gained power in Anbar province. The U.S. military responded with a program backing former insurgents, supporting the so-called Anbar Awakening to counter the al-Qaida uprising.
Authorities imposed a curfew and banned vehicle traffic in Ramadi in the wake of the Wednesday attacks. Security officials said the curfew and the general state of alert remained in place for the entire province.
Anbar provincial leaders, meanwhile, fired Gen. Tariq al-Assal, the police chief, replacing him with Brig. Mohammad Rashied in the wake of the attacks.
