Baghdad: Only 85 Iraqi workers kidnapped today in one incident

[trancepriest]

BAGHDAD, IRAQ — Gunmen abducted about 85 workers Wednesday as they left work at an industrial plant north of Baghdad, police and a witness said. The workers were thought to be mostly Shiite and the plant is located in a predominantly Sunni Arab area.

The witness said that about 85 workers were taken near the plant's parking lot, while police Lt. Thaer Mahmoud said they filled up a bus and a minivan. They were taken at the al-Nasr General Complex in Taji, 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Baghdad. Taji is predominantly Sunni Arab area that has seen much insurgent activity.

Under Saddam Hussein, the complex was a military plant, but it now makes metal doors, windows and pipes.

Kamel Mohammed, an engineer working at the plant, said by telephone he saw two of the plant's buses and a minivan intercepted by gunmen in three sedans.

The two buses and the single minivan ferry workers from the plant to the Shiite areas of Shula and Hurrayah in Baghdad. They also forced other workers leaving the plant in their own cars to get out and into the buses.

The incident took place about 50 meters (yards) away from the plant's parking lot.

It was the most recent case involving mass abductions.

On June 6, gunmen in police uniforms raided a business district in central Baghdad, seizing 50 people, including travelers, merchants and vendors selling tea and sandwiches. Both Shiites and Sunnis work in the area.

The Shiite-dominated Interior Ministry, which oversees police, denied its forces were behind the kidnappings.

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.

It was unclear what ever became of the victims.

[trancepriest]

Ethnic cleansing?