Scores of Iraqis were killed, threats to behead the Italian hostages
Iraq, Military, 9/13/2004

Armed Iraqis on Sunday attacked the downtown of Baghdad intensively by mortars shelling, targeting the green area, the headquarters of the Interim Iraqi government and the two American and British embassies.

Some 25 persons were killed and other 100 injured in acts of violence that took place in Baghdad, when one American military helicopters fired missiles on a crowd of Iraqis who gathered around a burnt American military vehicle in Haifa street.

The American bombardment resulted in killing one Palestinian journalist working for "al-Arabia" TV channel, called Mazin al-Tumeizi. Two photographers were injured.

Al-Tawhid and al-Jihad group -- linked to al-Qaida organization -- led by Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi claimed responsibility for the attack against the Green Zone.

In al-Ishaqi area to the north of Baghdad, three Iraqis were killed and another was injured in a bomb explosion. Two Iraqi police officers were killed and other five were injured of a booby trapped car explosion in al-Amereyah area to the west of Baghdad.

In al-Musil to the north of Iraq, one police man was killed and other 7 injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire on them. The American forces announced the killing of one Iraqi when he detonated himself at Abu Ghreib jail.

Concerning the issue of hostages, the Iraqi police freed on Sunday one Iraqi from his kidnappers in Sameraa city to the north of Baghdad.

The police were able to arrest the kidnappers following a breaking in operation. It said that they carried out several kidnapping operations of foreigners and that they do such operations for collecting ransoms.

In the same context, one Islamic group threatened in a statement attributed to it on the Internet of killing the two Italian women hostages who are held in Iraq "by beheading" unless the Italian forces withdraw from Iraq within 24 hours.

The "Islamic Jihad group in Iraq" set a grace period of 24 hours for the withdrawal of the Italian forces from Iraq. The statement said "if we do not see the Italian troops withdrawing from the land of Iraq, the verdict of the God will be carried out "beheading."

Previous Stories:
  Five Iraqis, Two of al-Sader's supporters, police kidnapped in Najaf   (9/11/2004)
  Iraqi national guards opened fire at al-Sader demonstration   (9/11/2004)
  Former defense secretary: military policy did not promote abuse   (9/10/2004)
  Some 45 Iraqis killed in the American campaign in Tel Afer, Falluja   (9/10/2004)
  Bombardment renewed on Falluja   (9/9/2004)
  Son of the governor of Ninawa assassinated in an attack in Musil   (9/8/2004)

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