Corrects spelling of police brigadier in paragraph two to Hameed Hummad from Hameed Farhan.

(Updates with background)

BAGHDAD, Oct 4 (Reuters) - A suicide truck bomber blew up outside the Iraqi army headquarters in the Sunni insurgent stronghold of Ramadi on Wednesday and many casualties were feared, police said.

Anbar province police chief Brigadier Hameed Hummad told Reuters the truck exploded outside the base in western Ramadi.

The base is close to several U.S. military installations, residents said.

Ramadi is a hotbed of insurgent activity and U.S. and Iraqi forces have struggled to control the city, capital of Anbar province, the seat of the Sunni insurgency against the Shi'ite-led national unity government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

AlertNet news is provided by