18 Captive Iraq National Guardsmen Freed In Iraq

20 September 2004 -- Reports say that 18 Iraqi national guardsmen held hostage in Iraq have been released by their captors.

Naim al-Qaabi, a representative of Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, said the guardsmen were released at al-Sadr's request.

Yesterday, Al-Jazeera television aired a videotape from the kidnappers, saying the hostages would be executed if the Iraqi government did not release a top detained Al-Sadr aide.

(AFP/AP/Reuters)

For the latest news on Iraq, see RFE/RL's webpage on "The New Iraq".