UK: More abductions may be in the works

Above: A British tank passes a fuel truck fire in in in Basra in May. Reports say that 5 Britons kidnapped in Baghdad are being held hostage to demands that the British stop patrolling there.

Iraqi insurgents have plans to kidnap more Britons as part of a new tactic to pressure the British Government to change its policy on Iraq as Tony Blair hands power to Gordon Brown, The Sunday Telegraph has learnt.

US intelligence officials in Iraq have received reliable information that insurgents believe they can influence decision-making in London as Mr Brown prepares to inherit an unpopular war and low opinion poll figures. British intelligence is understood to share their analysis.

The warning heightens fears that the five Britons seized in Baghdad last week are being held by Shia militants in an attempt to force London into an accelerated troop withdrawal.

Read the rest at the Telegraph

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