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Dozens Kidnapped in Central Baghdad.

Iraqi police reported that armed and uniformed individuals kidnapped 30 civilians Thursday from an industrial area in central Baghdad. Other reports claim the numbers were larger stating that 50 or 70 people were kidnapped. Later it was reported that 25 of those kidnapped were released, but the number of people still remained captive has been inconsistent in several reports. The Shiite television reported that 29 people were set free.

Sources at the police quoted eye witnesses, who said that the armed men arrived at the scene in 10 police cars and three trucks and kidnapped dozens of business owners and employees. "A number of army vehicles entered the car market and they took around 30 people and shot randomly at the people. They were wearing army uniforms," witness Abu Jassim said.

The scene of the crime was an industrial area with many garages and automotive equipment and parts shops. The area is a mixed Shiite-Sunni area and therefore it is unclear who the uniformed kidnappers were and who the attack was aimed at. The kidnapping of civilians by armed people dressed as soldiers of police officers has become a daunting reality in Iraq. About a month ago, dozens of workers at the Ministry of Education in the Iraqi capitol were kidnapped in much the same way. Some of those kidnapped were later released but many are still missing today. Officials hypothesize that the dozens of bodies found in Baghdad every day are hostages executed by their captures.