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Gunmen kidnap dozens in Baghdad Gunmen kidnap dozens in Baghdad
(30 minutes later)
Gunmen dressed in uniforms have kidnapped dozens of people from a commercial area in central Baghdad, according to Iraqi police. Gunmen dressed in military uniforms have kidnapped dozens of people from a commercial area in central Baghdad, according to Iraqi police.
Between 20 and 30 people were abducted in the Sanak area of east Baghdad, reports say. Between 20 and 30 people - including Shia and Sunni shopkeepers and pedestrians - were abducted in the Sanak area of the capital, reports say.
Eyewitnesses said the men, wearing the National Police uniform, were in 10 vehicles - some of them painted like government cars. Shots were heard. Eyewitnesses said the men were in 10 vehicles - some of them painted like government cars. Shots were heard.
Correspondents say mass kidnappings are becoming commonplace in the capital.Correspondents say mass kidnappings are becoming commonplace in the capital.
In the latest incident, gunmen ordered people to sit on the ground before selecting large numbers to be taken away - among them both shopkeepers and pedestrians. Stores in Sanak are owned by a mix of Shias and Sunnis and it was not immediately clear why the area was targeted in Thursday's incident, the Associated Press news agency reports.
They grabbed people haphazardly - Sunnis, Shias Eyewitness Mohammed al-Motaie
Mohammed Qassim Jassim, 37, who works in Sanak, said the attack started about 1100 local time.
"We heard cars and shootings in the area and then we saw gunmen wearing Iraqi army uniforms and driving SUVs who were snatching people from the shops and street.
"It took like 20 minutes for them to fan out and control the area," AP quoted him as saying.
Eyewitness Mohammed al-Motaie told AFP news agency: "Once they were in full control of the situation they began picking people up. They grabbed people haphazardly - Sunnis, Shias."
The BBC's Andrew North in Baghdad says people are kidnapped every day in Baghdad, but mass kidnapping such as this have become more common.The BBC's Andrew North in Baghdad says people are kidnapped every day in Baghdad, but mass kidnapping such as this have become more common.
Last month, dozens of staff and visitors were abducted from the higher education ministry and it is still not clear what happened to many of them.Last month, dozens of staff and visitors were abducted from the higher education ministry and it is still not clear what happened to many of them.
Those kidnapped often end up being tortured and killed. Dozens of bodies are found around Baghdad every day, our correspondent says.Those kidnapped often end up being tortured and killed. Dozens of bodies are found around Baghdad every day, our correspondent says.