Gunmen wearing uniforms of Iraqi security forces kidnapped 25 people from an office in central Baghdad in broad daylight Monday, police said. The Iraqi government said Monday that 30,359 families have fled their homes to escape sectarian violence from mid-February until July 30 as violence across the country left at least 20 people dead. The gunmen pulled up in 15 four-wheel-drive vehicles and kidnapped employees and customers at the office on a street in Arasat, once a thriving commercial district that has seen many businesses close due to violence ravaging the country. “Me and five others were left behind because all the cars were full.” | Some witnesses said the offices were those of the Iraqi-American Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Al-Rawi mobile telephone company.
"I was on the first floor of the Iraqi-American Chamber of Commerce and they took all the men downstairs. They were in camouflage army uniforms. They handcuffed the men and blindfolded them," said a witness who asked not to be named. "Me and five others were left behind because all the cars were full."
"Stay here. We'll be back to kill you later."
"Hokay." | Police said among those kidnapped were the head and 11 employees of the chamber, which represents companies seeking to boost trade between postwar Iraq and firms in the US. "Two gunmen stayed outside and the others entered the building. They dragged the employees and put them in the cars," said another witness. |