Iraq: 18 Killed after Being Abducted

(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) The bodies of 18 people have been found near the Iraqi capital Baghdad, hours after they were abducted from their homes, police say. The corpses - with gunshots in the head - were found near the town of Tarmiya. At least one army officer was among those killed, the BBC reported. At least one tribal chief and a police officer were also among those killed on Friday, according to the N=BBC. The UN says 979 people - including 158 police and 127 military personnel - were killed in violent attacks in October. More than 6,500 civilians have died since January, the highest annual toll since 2008.