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Five foreigners kidnapped in Iraq Five foreigners kidnapped in Iraq
(about 1 hour later)
Four Americans and an Austrian have been kidnapped from a convoy of civilians in southern Iraq, US and Iraqi sources have said.Four Americans and an Austrian have been kidnapped from a convoy of civilians in southern Iraq, US and Iraqi sources have said.
The convoy of 19 vehicles, operated by a Kuwait-based security service, was attacked on Thursday.The convoy of 19 vehicles, operated by a Kuwait-based security service, was attacked on Thursday.
Unconfirmed reports said the incident took place at a bogus checkpoint and nine other civilians were released. Unconfirmed reports said the incident took place at a bogus checkpoint. Nine other civilians were released.
Sunni-linked insurgents have killed dozens of kidnapped foreigners but most abducted in the south have been freed.Sunni-linked insurgents have killed dozens of kidnapped foreigners but most abducted in the south have been freed.
Reports said the convoy was attacked near Basra as it headed for the city of Nasiriya.Reports said the convoy was attacked near Basra as it headed for the city of Nasiriya.
The foreigners taken were all security contractors.The foreigners taken were all security contractors.
One official familiar with the incident told the Associated Press some of the civilians who had been freed were being interviewed by the military. A spokesman for Crescent Security Group, which operated the convoy, said the nine civilians who were freed included men from India, Pakistan and the Philippines.
They included men from India, Pakistan and the Philippines. An Iraqi security source told Reuters news agency that British troops had cordoned off an area near Basra suspecting a number of missing men were being held there.
British forces declined to comment and the report could not be independently verified.
The Crescent Security Group spokesman told Associated Press: "I'm not sure what the British and US military have put in motion, and I don't want to release too much information in case it compromises whatever they may be doing."
Crescent works mainly in Iraq. Its website says it "conducts convoy escort duties for an ever-growing number of coalition militaries, embassies, government contractors".
The family of an American man, Paul Reuben, 39, confirmed to US media it had been informed that he was among those captured.The family of an American man, Paul Reuben, 39, confirmed to US media it had been informed that he was among those captured.
His sister-in-law, Jennifer Reuben, said he had called last week to say he planned to come home because of increasing violence.His sister-in-law, Jennifer Reuben, said he had called last week to say he planned to come home because of increasing violence.
The convoy was operated by the Crescent Security Group, which works mainly in Iraq.
Its website says it "conducts convoy escort duties for an ever-growing number of coalition militaries, embassies, government contractors".
A spokesman for the group told Associated Press: "I'm not sure what the British and US military have put in motion, and I don't want to release too much information in case it compromises whatever they may be doing."
Nasiriya is the capital of Dhi Qar province, which was returned to Iraqi control in September.Nasiriya is the capital of Dhi Qar province, which was returned to Iraqi control in September.
Hijackings and abductions are frequent in southern Iraq but those kidnapped are generally freed, unlike in the Sunni strongholds further north.Hijackings and abductions are frequent in southern Iraq but those kidnapped are generally freed, unlike in the Sunni strongholds further north.
Baghdad abductionsBaghdad abductions
Separately, there is still confusion over the kidnapping of scores of education ministry workers in Baghdad on Tuesday.Separately, there is still confusion over the kidnapping of scores of education ministry workers in Baghdad on Tuesday.
Sunni and Shia leaders cannot agree whether all the hostages have now been freed.Sunni and Shia leaders cannot agree whether all the hostages have now been freed.
The Sunni higher education minister said more than half the 150 victims were still being held.The Sunni higher education minister said more than half the 150 victims were still being held.
But interior ministry spokesman Brig Gen Abdul-Karim Khalaf said all the ministry employees were free, although some others taken from the building were still being held.But interior ministry spokesman Brig Gen Abdul-Karim Khalaf said all the ministry employees were free, although some others taken from the building were still being held.