.3 Christian Peace Activists Rescued in Iraq
BAGHDAD -- Acting on a tip from an Iraqi prisoner, a British-led military operation today rescued three Western peace activists whose abductors had held them hostage since November, killed their American colleague and finally left them tied up in an empty house.
No shots were fired and no kidnappers were present when a combined force of British, U.S. and Canadian troops found the three men "in good condition" in western Baghdad, said Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, a U.S. military spokesman.
The peace activists — Norman Kember, 74, of Britain, James Loney, 41, and Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32, both of Canada — were seized in Baghdad on Nov. 26 along with the American, Tom Fox, 54, by gunmen who later demanded the release of all Iraqi prisoners.
Fox's body was found March 9. He had been tortured by his captors, shot several times in the head and chest, and dumped on a trash heap near a railway line in the western part of the capital.
"Our hearts are filled with joy" over the men's release, said a statement by their Chicago and Toronto-based organization, Christian Peacemaker Teams. "Our gladness today is made bittersweet by the fact that Tom is not alive to join in the celebration."
The news was also tempered by violence today that left dozens of Iraqis dead. Fifteen were killed, including 10 policemen when a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden car into headquarters of the Interior Ministry's major crimes division — the third major insurgent attack on a police facility in three days.
At least 430 foreigners, including 41 U.S. citizens, have been taken hostage in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion three years ago, and seven are being held, including American journalist Jill Carroll. Today's rescue was the first brought about by a military operation since last June.
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said in London that the operation "follows weeks and weeks of very careful work by military and coalition personnel in Iraq and many civilians as well."
But Lynch, speaking to reporters in Baghdad, said a prisoner being interrogated about the kidnapping had pinpointed the location of the hostages just three hours before the 8 a.m. rescue mission began.
Details of the rescue were scarce. Lynch said he was reluctant to discuss details because "there are other operations that continue, probably as a result of what we're finding at this time."
LaTimes
"Canadian troops"!! What Canadian troops? when did Canada send troops to Iraq? This is big I mean Canada has troops in Iraq, when? where? how? who? did this happen recently, have they always been there and I was just in the dark?
No shots were fired and no kidnappers were present when a combined force of British, U.S. and Canadian troops found the three men "in good condition" in western Baghdad, said Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, a U.S. military spokesman.
The peace activists — Norman Kember, 74, of Britain, James Loney, 41, and Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32, both of Canada — were seized in Baghdad on Nov. 26 along with the American, Tom Fox, 54, by gunmen who later demanded the release of all Iraqi prisoners.
Fox's body was found March 9. He had been tortured by his captors, shot several times in the head and chest, and dumped on a trash heap near a railway line in the western part of the capital.
"Our hearts are filled with joy" over the men's release, said a statement by their Chicago and Toronto-based organization, Christian Peacemaker Teams. "Our gladness today is made bittersweet by the fact that Tom is not alive to join in the celebration."
The news was also tempered by violence today that left dozens of Iraqis dead. Fifteen were killed, including 10 policemen when a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden car into headquarters of the Interior Ministry's major crimes division — the third major insurgent attack on a police facility in three days.
At least 430 foreigners, including 41 U.S. citizens, have been taken hostage in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion three years ago, and seven are being held, including American journalist Jill Carroll. Today's rescue was the first brought about by a military operation since last June.
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said in London that the operation "follows weeks and weeks of very careful work by military and coalition personnel in Iraq and many civilians as well."
But Lynch, speaking to reporters in Baghdad, said a prisoner being interrogated about the kidnapping had pinpointed the location of the hostages just three hours before the 8 a.m. rescue mission began.
Details of the rescue were scarce. Lynch said he was reluctant to discuss details because "there are other operations that continue, probably as a result of what we're finding at this time."
LaTimes
"Canadian troops"!! What Canadian troops? when did Canada send troops to Iraq? This is big I mean Canada has troops in Iraq, when? where? how? who? did this happen recently, have they always been there and I was just in the dark?
posted by madtom at 12:41 PM
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