Kidnappers release two Iraqi hostages

Kidnappers have released two Iraqi guards abducted along with an American and Nepalese from their Baghdad compound.

The kidnappers allowed two of four Iraqi guards kidnapped to go free and left them in Baghdad’s Hay al-Amil area last night, a police officer said.

The two were beaten up, blindfolded and had their hands tied with plastic cuffs, he said.

The police officer said he believed the two were freed because they were from the Fallujah area.

On Monday, armed gunmen stormed the compound of a Saudi company in the upscale Mansour district of western Baghdad and seized six hostages during a gunbattle. One guard and one kidnapper were killed during the shoot-out, police said.

The US Embassy confirmed that an American was abducted but have not identified him.

The abductees are believed to work for the Saudi Arabian Trading and Construction Company, or Satco. The company caters food and provides food supplies to the Iraq army and others, a company official said.

Neighbours in the area described seeing several cars filled with gunmen, some blocking the road to the house.