Gunmen killed at least seven soldiers in central Iraq on Thursday, officials said. Militants attacked an army checkpoint in the town of Taji, killing four soldiers and wounding four others, two police officers said.

Another group of militants exchanged fire with military forces and pro-government Sunni militia in the western village of Karma, two other police officers said. Three soldiers were killed and 18 were wounded, including 7 Sunni fighters.

The Sunni fighters were from the pro-government group Sahwa, which joined with American troops in the war against Al Qaeda at the height of the Iraq war. Ever since, its members have been a target for Sunni insurgents who consider them traitors.

The New York Times