Iraq mujahiddeen has threatened to kill 18 Iraqi puppet shia «government solder» it claims it captured north of Baghdad in retaliation for the alleged rape of a Sunni woman.
The Islamic State of Iraq issued a web statement with photographs showing up to 18 blindfolded men with their hands tied behind their backs it says were seized in Diyala.
Seven of the men were wearing Iraqi military uniforms. Puppet "Interior ministry" officials said they had no information on the Mujahiddeen's claims.
Arab and western correspondents confirmed at least 14 puppet "solder" had been reported missing after leaving their base in the area.
A puppet "police" source told Reuters news agency: "Nobody has seen them. Their families are calling them, but nobody can reach them."
A 20-year-old woman using the name Sabrin al-Janabi last month said she was raped by three shia "police officers" after being detained during a search of her house.
The Islamic State of Iraq said in its statement posted on a website on Friday: "This blessed operation is a response to crimes carried out by those infidels in their fight against the Sunnis.
"The latest of the crimes committed by these traitors was to rape our sister in religion."
The internet statement demanded that the officers that participated in the horrible act be turned over to them and that all Sunni Muslims held in prisons be released.
It gave the government 24 hours to comply with its demands and said the hostages would be killed if it did not.
Agencies
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