Gunmen kidnap 50 in Iraqi capital

BBC

At least 50 people have been kidnapped by gunmen in central Baghdad, Iraqi security officials have reported.
The incident is reported to have taken place on Salihiya street, lined with transport firms offering travel around the country and to Jordan and Syria.

The gunmen arrived in up to 13 cars, and were wearing Iraqi special security forces uniforms, police sources said.

The victims, which may include two Syrians, are believed to be mainly staff and customers of the firms.

The situation is still confused, and there has been no claim of responsibility, says the BBC's Ian Pannell in Baghdad.

But these kinds of abductions do happen quite frequently in the country, our correspondent adds.

Iraqis working on projects linked to the government or coalition are particular targets for kidnap. Others abductions are motivated by sectarianism or for money.