9 Iraqi Workers Gunned Down Near Baghdad

  30 November 2005

Authorities in Iraq say nine people have been shot and killed in the northeast town of Baquba.

The victims were boarding a minibus on their way to work Wednesday morning when they were gunned down.

The attack comes as authorities are dealing with a new wave of kidnappings in Iraq. Four Western aid workers, including an American, a Briton and two Canadians, were abducted Saturday in Baghdad. The four were seen in a videotape broadcast Tuesday by Arab broadcaster Al-Jazeera. The video was made by an insurgent group calling itself the Swords of Righteousness Brigade.

Meanwhile, Germany has called for the release of a kidnapped national, archaeologist Susanne Osthoff, and her driver who disappeared Friday.

Officials believe the latest kidnappings are aimed at disrupting next month's national parliamentary elections.

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