Qatar hunters abducted in Iraq desert by gunmen

[MowCowWhoHow III]

Source: BBC

Gunmen have kidnapped at least 27 Qatari hunters - including members of the ruling family - in a desert area of Iraq near the Saudi border, say police and the local governor.

The attackers were driving dozens of four-wheel drive vehicles when they swept into the hunters' camp at dawn on Wednesday, officials said.

They struck near Layyah, 190km (118 miles) from regional capital, Samawa.

A wide-scale search has been launched for the attackers, police say.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-35112774

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My guess : abducted by Iraqi Shia Militia

[trumad]

1. Why the fuck would you take a hunting trip in Iraq?

[bemildred]

2. A good question.

Not that many deer or ducks out there, and 26 guys is a big party.

Edit: and "about 50" SUVs come into camp and kidnap you, that is some desert hunting area there.

[SmittynMo]

3. This is more proof

that the region there should participate in the destruction of ISIS. Hell, they're already on the ground.

[bemildred]

4. Indeed, if it's not their business, whose is it? nt

[SmittynMo]

5. It's going to get worse, with the obvious in hand

It's obvious that the people in the region will have to deal with this.

So Saudi Arabia is finally in. Qatar is now in. Let them fight it out.

If they need our help, give us a call.

[leveymg]

8. Biting the hand that feeds them, if this is indeed a genuine abduction of "falconers."

Did a meeting between bankers and clients go badly?

[hack89]

6. They were hunting with falcons

which is a sport of royalty and the super rich in the ME. Super rich people and royalty like to hunt in luxury which probably explains the size of the party - a lot of servants and other strap hangers.

[bemildred]

7. Iraqi Official: Gunmen Abduct up to 26 Qatari Hunters

Seems they were.

In a remote desert area in southern Iraq, unidentified gunmen driving in SUVs raided a camp for falconry hunters on Wednesday, abducting up to 26 Qataris, Iraqi officials said.

The gunmen raided the camp located in the desert in Samawah province at dawn, snatching between 19 and 26 Qataris, Ahmed Manfi, a member of the provincial council, told The Associated Press.

Two Iraqi intelligence officers were also abducted but were later released, Manfi added.

Iraq's Interior Ministry said the aim of the abduction was "to achieve political and media goals." A ministry statement said police were carrying out search operations in the area.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/iraqi-official-gunmen-abduct-26-qatari-hunters-35795569

[MariaThinks]

9. Why hunt innocent animals with guns? What's the sport or challenge?

[EX500rider]

11. They were using Falcons...

....to hunt the Asian houbara bustard, akin to a small turkey.


http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35112774

[bemildred]

10. Terror fears as Qatari royal family members 'kidnapped' from desert hunting camp by 100 gunmen

About 100 gunmen reportedly kidnapped at
 least 26 Qataris - including members of its royal family - from their desert hunting camp in Iraq, it has emerged.

The kidnappings took place near the
 Saudi border in the early hours of Wednesday.

Police confirmed the kidnappings and
 said Iraqi security forces had launched a wide-scale search for
 the Qataris in the area, a largely desolate expanse where armed
 militia groups predominate.


"An armed group driving dozens of pickup trucks kidnapped at
 least 26 Qatari hunters from their camp in the area of Busaya in
 the Samawa desert near the Saudi border," Samawa governor Falih
al-Zayady said.


http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/terror-fears-qatari-royal-family-7025180

[Kaleva]

12. Sometimes the cheapest travel agency isn't the best choice.