Winks Blog

50 Iraqis Kidnapped

Good Morning,

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Gunmen in police uniforms raided bus stations Monday in central Baghdad, kidnapping at least 50 people, including drivers and passengers preparing to travel outside Iraq, an Interior Ministry official said.

The attackers also grabbed people working in the area, where several travel agencies are based and buses pick up passengers traveling mostly to Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, Lt. Col. Falah al-Mohamedawi said.

The victims, including two Syrians, were herded into more than a dozen vehicles, according to witnesses. It was not known who was behind the attack.

"They took all workers from the companies and nearby shops," said Haidar Mohammed Eleibi, who works for the Swan Transportation Co. in the Salihiya business district.

He said his brother and a cousin were among those seized, along with merchants, passers-by and even a vendor selling tea and sandwiches.

"They did not give any reason for it," he said. "Police came afterward and did nothing."

Another transportation worker, Amjad Hameed, said 15 cars belonging to police rushed into the area and began randomly seizing people. "We asked them why but nobody replied," he said, adding that Iraqi forces and Americans came to the site afterward.

The Interior Ministry denied any police involvement.

"The chief of the Iraqi national police, Maj. Gen. Adnan Thabit, has denied the involvement of Iraqi police in the abduction of 50 persons from the Salihiya area," it said in a statement.

Have a nice day.

posted by Wink @ 9:34 AM