Iraqi gunmen abduct 31 ‘suspected criminals’ in Baghdad

Gunmen have abducted 31 Shia men from their homes in eastern Baghdad, an attack police described as targeting suspected criminals, The kidnappings happened early this morning as black-clad gunmen stormed houses in the Shia neighbourhood of Sadr City, two police officials said.

The officials said they suspect the kidnapped men were involved in prostitution and criminal activities.

Some Shia militias have been involved attacks against suspected prostitutes and stores that sell alcohol as a part of their campaign to impose Islamic laws.

Meanwhile, separate attacks in the capital killed six people, authorities said.

Police and hospital officials said three mortar shells landed on houses in Baghdad’s southern suburb of Arab Jabour, killing four people and wounding nine.

A bomb blast near an outdoor market in northern Baghdad killed two people and wounded seven, they said.

Iraq sees near-daily bombings and other attacks often claimed by the Islamic State group, which seized about a third of the country last year.

Reuters