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Five Brits Kidnapped in Baghdad

Gunmen wearing Iraqi uniforms stormed finance ministry

By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff

Posted May 30, 2007 4:41 AM CDT

(Newser) – Five Britons—four members of a private security detail and a financial consultant—were kidnapped in Baghdad yesterday by gunmen wearing Iraqi police uniforms. The kidnappers are said to have barged into the finance ministry around noon, demanding, "Where are the foreigners?"  After rounding up the British civilians, they drove away in as many as 19 vehicles.

British officials  suspect the raid may be the work of the Mahdi Army; a joint British-Iraqi strike killed the Mahdi commander in Basra May 25, and the militia threatened reprisal.

British flag
British flag   (Getty Images)
Iraqi police graduates demonstrate their skills at a graduation.
Iraqi police graduates demonstrate their skills at a graduation.   (Getty Images (by Event))
Coed Iraqi police cadets graduate in Baghdad.
Coed Iraqi police cadets graduate in Baghdad.   (Getty Images)
Tony Blair
Tony Blair   (Getty Images)
Iraqi policemen parade.
Iraqi policemen parade.   (Getty Images)
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