Eight beheaded bodies found in Iraq

Iraqi security forces discovered the bodies of eight beheaded men today in two villages in a region north of Baghdad.

The first six bodies belonged to Shiite farmers who had been taken from their home in Hashmiyat, 10 miles west of Baqouba, by an armed group wearing Iraqi army uniforms late Thursday, army Capt. Hashim Amer said.

They were discovered about a mile away from the house they were taken from.

“All the corpses were dumped in a deserted area, and the knife which was used to slaughter them was placed near one of the bodies,” Amer said.

The other two bodies were found in al-Nahrawan district, about 12 miles south-west of Baqouba, army Maj. Fadhil al-Timimi said.

Earlier this month, the police found 20 bodies in the al-Nahrawan area.

All were blindfolded and their hands were tied behind their backs and they were shot from behind.

Baqouba, is 35 miles, north-east of Baghdad and an insurgent stronghold.