Iraqi forces free veterinarian lured into marshes and kidnapped

BASRA — Iraqi security forces freed a veterinarian Friday after he was lured by phone to a marshland area under the pretense of treating an animal and then kidnapped, a security source told 964media.

The veterinarian, born in 1975 and a resident of Al-Madina district, was taken in the Zajri marshes near the point where the administrative boundaries of Basra, Dhi Qar and Maysan governorates meet, the source said.

Security agencies formed a joint team and located the kidnappers, then surrounded the area where they were holding the veterinarian.

The kidnappers abandoned their captive and fled deeper into the marshes, using the terrain and waterways to evade security forces, according to the source.

Security forces are continuing to gather information and search the area in an effort to identify and arrest those involved.