MADAIN, Iraq (AFX) - The Iraqi army said it found no hostages in the besieged town of Madain, where Sunni militants had reportedly been holding Shiite residents captive.
A 1,500-strong Iraqi force moved into the town known both as Salman Pak and Madain, 30km southeast of Baghdad, according to an Agence France-Presse correspondent embedded with the US military.
"The whole city is under control. We've secured houses where people said there were hostages. We could not find any. I don't think we'll find any," said Iraqi, Brigadier General Mohammed Sabri Latif.
The military action followed reports that Sunni gunmen had abducted dozens of people and had threatened to kill them unless all Shiites left the town, although details on the situation have been sketchy and contradictory.
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A 1,500-strong Iraqi force moved into the town known both as Salman Pak and Madain, 30km southeast of Baghdad, according to an Agence France-Presse correspondent embedded with the US military.
"The whole city is under control. We've secured houses where people said there were hostages. We could not find any. I don't think we'll find any," said Iraqi, Brigadier General Mohammed Sabri Latif.
The military action followed reports that Sunni gunmen had abducted dozens of people and had threatened to kill them unless all Shiites left the town, although details on the situation have been sketchy and contradictory.
newsdesk@afxnews.com
/np-sd/txw/ims
COPYRIGHT
Copyright AFX News Limited 2005. All rights reserved.
The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News.
AFX News and the AFX Financial News logo are registered trademarks of AFX News Limited
For more information and to contact AFX: www.afxnews.com and www.afxpress.com