Accessibility links

Breaking News

Iraqi Militants Abduct British Reporter


13 August 2004 -- Reports say Iraqi militants have kidnapped a British journalist in the southern city of Al-Basrah and threaten to kill him if the U.S.-led assault on the holy Shi'a city of Al-Najaf is not stopped within 24 hours.

Witnesses, hotel management, and Iraq police said a group of gunmen seized the unidentified journalist -- reportedly form "The Sunday Telegraph" -- from his hotel room in mainly Shi'a Al-Basrah. Reports say militants also shot the journalist twice in the leg.

A videotape later released in the city showed a hooded gunman next to the reporter and threatening to kill him if the attack on Al-Najaf is not stopped.

Yesterday, U.S.-led forces started what they called a major assault on Al-Najaf in a bid to defeat fighters loyal to radical Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

(Reuters/AP/AFP)

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

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG