The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Baghdad

A member of a U.S.-allied Sunni group in Iraq says three of its guards have been killed and another wounded in drive-by shootings in northern Baghdad.

The official says gunmen in a speeding car opened fire on two different awakening council checkpoints in the Azamiyah neighborhood on Thursday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of security concerns.

Azamiyah has seen a sharp decline in violence after a local Sunni decision to join forces with the United States against al-Qaida in Iraq. The area also has been surrounded by concrete walls in a bid to stem attacks.

Members of the so-called awakening councils have frequently been targeted by militants seeking to derail security gains or in reprisal killings.