Gunmen abduct security firm workers

Gunmen in Interior Ministry commando uniforms stormed the Baghdad, Iraq, offices of a private security company and kidnapped as many as 50 employees today.

The attackers hit the al-Rawafid Security Co and forced the workers into seven vehicles, said Interior Ministry Maj Falah al-Mohammedawi.

The victims, who included bodyguards, drivers, computer technicians and other employees, did not resist because they assumed their abductors were police special forces working for the Interior Ministry, al-Mohammedawi said.

Interior Ministry Under-secretary Maj Gen. Ahmed al-Khefji denied any involvement by his department saying: “It is a terrorist act.”

Members of the Sunni Arab minority who dominated under ousted leader Saddam Hussein accuse the Shiite-led security forces of repeated abductions and killings under the cover of fighting the Sunni-driven insurgency. Many of Al-Rawafid employees are former members of Saddam’s armed forces.

The company is one of dozens providing protection for businesses and other clients in the violence-plagued country.