(AP) Police: Gunmen Kidnap Dozens in Baghdad

[Eugene]

Associated Press
Police: Gunmen Kidnap Dozens in Baghdad
By SINAN SALAHEDDIN 12.14.06, 6:03 AM ET

Gunmen in military uniforms kidnapped dozens of people Thursday from a major
commercial area in central Baghdad, the second mass abduction in the capital
in a month.

The attackers drove up to the busy al-Sanak area in about 10 sport utility
vehicles and began rounding up shop owners and bystanders. Two police officers
said 50 to 70 people were abducted.

The al-Sanak area - one of the capital's main commercial districts - holds stores
selling auto spare parts, agricultural equipment and the small power generators
that are ubiquitous in Baghdad due to severe power shortages.

The stores are owned by a mix of Shiites, Sunnis and others and it was not
immediately clear why the area was targeted. But suspicion fell on militias,
which are believed to have infiltrated police forces and have killed hundreds
in sectarian violence, personal vendettas and kidnappings for ransom.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2006/12/14/ap3254125.html

[Barrett808]

1. k & r

[E-Z-B]

2. heckuva job we're doing over there.

Why are we even over there to begin with?

[The Magistrate]

3. Because We Are There, Sir, Seems To Be the Latest Reason We Are There....

Soldiers on the Western Front used to sing this to the tune of Auld Lange Syne: "We're here because we're here, because we're here, because we're here! We're here, because we're here, because we're here, because we're here."

[Eugene]

4. BBC: (about 25) Baghdad kidnap victims released

Last Updated: Thursday, 14 December 2006, 18:35 GMT

Baghdad kidnap victims released

About 25 people kidnapped from a commercial area in central Baghdad
have been released, police officials say.

They were among a larger group of people - including Shia and Sunni
shopkeepers and pedestrians - abducted in the Sanak area of the Iraqi
capital.

They were taken by gunmen dressed in military uniforms, according
to Iraqi police. Witnesses said the men were in 10 vehicles and shots
were heard.

-snip-

And it is not clear how many people were taken - with estimates varying
between 30 and 70.

-snip-

Full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6178667.stm