Iranian terrorists kidnapping Iraqis in southern province: sources

Iran Focus: Baghdad, Jan. 02 – Iranian agents are systematically kidnapping Iraqis for ransom in the southern Iraqi province of Missan, local residents say. “Iranian terrorist agents kidnap Iraqis on the Ozeys route and take them to Iran, demanding large ransoms for their return”, a local Iraqi said. Iran Focus

Baghdad, Jan. 02 – Iranian agents are systematically kidnapping Iraqis for ransom in the southern Iraqi province of Missan, local residents say.

“Iranian terrorist agents kidnap Iraqis on the Ozeys route and take them to Iran, demanding large ransoms for their return”, a local Iraqi said.

Citing a recent example, another local said, “20 passengers of a bus were abducted and taken to Iran. Afterwards, the kidnappers posing as middlemen offered to help the victims’ relatives, asking for large sums of money as rewards”.

Both sources, who wished to remain anonymous because of security concerns, said that truck drivers travelling on the Ozeys route were becoming regular targets.

Last week, the border between Iran and Iraq was closed down but it has been reported that a large number of people continue to pass through routes away from the main border checkpoints.