Iraqi authorities have confirmed that 12 prisoners, including some al-Qaeda-linked inmates awaiting execution, have escaped from a prison near Baghdad. A police official said the jailbreak, which took place on Friday morning, saw prisoners escape through windows of their cells and seize the weapons of guards who were manning the two observation towers. A guard in Taji prison confirmed the information, adding that some guards are being questioned to see if they helped the prisoners escape. A security forces manhunt to track down the prisoners is underway.