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Seized Iraq tribal chiefs freed Seized Iraq tribal chiefs rescued
(20 minutes later)
Members of a group of tribal leaders kidnapped in Baghdad have been freed one day after they were seized, an Iraqi defence ministry spokesman said. Eight members of a group of 11 tribal leaders abducted in Baghdad have been rescued one day after they were seized, the Iraqi defence ministry has said.
Maj Gen Mohammed al-Askari said members of the group had been released but declined to give more details. Spokesman Maj Gen Mohammed al-Askari said the sheikhs were freed by Iraqi soldiers in a raid on a house.
Nine Sunni and Shia sheikhs were abducted in Baghdad on Sunday while on their way home to Diyala province. The troops are searching for the remaining members of the group but reports said one had been found dead.
They had just attended a meeting with Iraqi government officials to discuss the fight against al-Qaeda in Iraq. The Sunni and Shia sheikhs from Diyala were seized after meeting government officials about al-Qaeda in Iraq.
The US military in Iraq on Monday accused an alleged rogue commander from a Shia militia of being behind the abduction of the tribal leaders. The US military in Iraq on Monday accused an alleged rogue commander from a Shia militia of being behind the kidnappings.
The Americans said the man - whom they named as Arkan Hasnawi - had disobeyed a ceasefire ordered by his militia, the Mehdi Army.
"Arkan Hasnawi and his gang of criminals continue to intimidate and terrorise innocent Iraqi citizens, taking actions that mirror the tactics used by al-Qaeda in Iraq," the military said in a statement, quoted by Reuters news agency.