Suicide bomber kills top Iraqi general

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TAL AFAR, Iraq, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- The head of Iraq's intelligence academy and two bodyguards were killed Saturday in a suicide blast intended for another officer, officials said.

Gen. Ali Aouni was killed during an attack on his neighbor by two suicide bombers in the northern town of Tal Afar, the BBC reported.

Aouni, head of the central college of military staff officers, is believed to be the most senior Iraqi military official killed this year.

The bombers were fleeing after attacking his neighbor, Lt. Habib Amin Ilias. A bodyguard had killed one of the bombers and the second bomber detonated his explosives as the general emerged from his home, officials said.

Ilias, a rapid response force commander, had been previously targeted.

No group has yet taken responsibility for the attack.