Three more journalists killed in Iraq

Baghdad: The deaths of three more Iraqi journalists were reported yesterday, bringing the monthly total to nine and equalling the worst month on record for reporters in the Iraq war.

The monthly total is matched only by February 2004, when nine journalists were also killed, according to figures by Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Another independent watchdog, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), lists seven journalists killed in April 2003 as the bloodiest month for reporters since the start of the US-led invasion to topple Saddam Hussain in March 2003.

Iraq is already the deadliest conflict in 25 years for journalists. RSF puts the total death toll of journalists and media assistants in Iraq at 177, while CPJ says 104 journalists have been killed. The figures do not include the latest deaths.

Meanwhile, American forces raided Shiite militia strongholds in eastern Baghdad yesterday after the brazen daylight kidnapping of five British contractors from a finance ministry building. The Britons were snatched on Tuesday by a large group of gunmen in Iraqi police uniforms, with the finger being pointed at Shiite militias.

"We are pursuing this case very vigorously, I would say, because the nature of this kidnapping is very strange," Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told AFP.

"The location of this finance ministry computer centre and the nature of the operation and the number of people involved, I think all indicate more a militia than a terrorist group, let's say," he added.

In an interview with BBC radio, Zebari noted the raid had taken place near Sadr City, a stronghold for radical Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr's Mahdi Army militia, but he told AFP it was too soon to blame a specific group. Nevertheless, the minister said the nature of the kidnapping clearly pointed to the involvement of one of the Shiite militant groups that has infiltrated Iraqi forces, rather than to a Sunni insurgent outfit such as Al Qaida.

Deadliest month

The toll of journalists came a day after May was confirmed as the deadliest month in more than two years for US soldiers. A total of 116 US soldiers have been killed this month, the worst tally since 137 were killed in November 2004.

Eight Iraqi journalists and a Russian photographer have died in Iraq so far this month. Three of the Iraqis, including a man killed with seven family members, died in the past three days.

Abdul Rahman Al Esawi, a reporter for the independent National Iraqi News Agency (NINA), was taken by gunmen from his home in the village of Amiriyat Al Fallujah, 50km west of Baghdad, on Monday night, NINA and family members said. "Gunmen entered his house and dragged him with his father and brother to a nearby orchard, where they shot them," Esawi's cousin, Mohammad Hussain, told Reuters.

Another five family members were killed in clashes with the unidentified gunmen, family members said. Isawi was 31.

Nazar Abdul Wahid, a reporter for the Aswat Al Iraq news agency and New Sabah newspaper, was gunned down in Amara, 365km south of Baghdad, yesterday, said Aswat Al Iraq's Basra bureau chief Muhannad Al Saadi.

"He was standing outside a hotel with four other journalists when three gunmen in a car opened fire and killed him," Saadi said.

Wahid, 38, was a father of three, he said.

Gunmen also killed Mahmoud Hakim Mustafa, editor-in-chief of Hawadith weekly newspaper, near his home in Kirkuk in northern Iraq on Monday, police said.