Abduction of aid workers was planned to the second

By KHALED YACOUB OWEIS

BAGHDAD - Armed to the teeth, the kidnappers beat up a hapless guard, dragged a screaming Iraqi hostage by her hair and took off in broad daylight.

Two Italian women - Simona Pari and Simona Torretta - and an Iraqi man were also abducted when 20 gunmen stormed a villa housing the headquarters of two Italian humanitarian organisations without firing a single bullet.

The father of the Iraqi woman who was dragged by her hair walked slowly, holding his head and crying.

A 14-year old onlooker was amazed by the speed and organisation of the men, who arrived in a convoy of a pick-up truck, a Jeep and a sedan.

The unusual abduction of women is likely to further alarm foreigners on edge from widespread kidnappings.

One man managed to escape through the backyard, avoiding attackers who appeared to know who they were looking for.

"It appeared it was totally professional. It appeared they knew exactly who they wanted to abduct," said one witness, who declined to be named.

"They carried machineguns and the type of weapons I see on special forces."

- REUTERS

Herald Feature: Iraq