[NYTr] Iraqi Official: (Some) Kidnapped Sheiks Freed; Another Suicide Bomb Kills 29

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

[More about the Sheiks from Juan Cole, below -NYTr]

AP via The Guardian - Oct 29, 2007
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-7033165,00.html


Iraqi Official: Kidnapped Sheiks Freed
Another Suicide Bomber Kills at Least 29 Police Recruits

By BUSHRA JUHI
Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD (AP) - A suicide bomber on a bicycle blew himself up Monday in a crowd of police recruits northeast of Baghdad, killing at least 29 people - most of them struck by iron balls packed with the explosives, police and hospital officials said.

Separately, a group of Sunni and Shiite sheiks seized from their cars in Baghdad have been released, said Maj. Gen. Mohammed al-Askari, a Defense Ministry spokesman. He declined to specify how many or give more details.

Police and relatives have identified the tribal leaders abducted in Baghdad as seven Shiites and three Sunnis who were on their way home to Diyala province after a meeting with a government official in the capital.

Police said late Sunday they had found the bullet-riddled body of one of the Sunni sheiks, Mishaan Hilan, about 50 yards away from where the ambush took place, an officer said, adding that the victim was identified after his mobile phone was found on him.

The U.S. military on Monday said a rogue Shiite militia leader was responsible.

                                ***

Informed Comment - by Juan Cole
http://www.juancole.com/

Monday, October 29, 2007

Reconciliation Sheikhs Kidnapped;

LA Times says that 11 members of The Salam (Peace) tribal council of
Baquba, were kidnapped at gunpoint as they were driving back from the
Green Zone toward Baquba, where they are based. They had been
conducting talks with the office of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.
Although the kidnapping occurred in a largely Shiite district of the
capital, it cannot be assumed that the Shiites are the problem. 

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iraq29oct29,1,5814639.story?coll=la-headlines-world&ctrack=1&cset=true