Civilian convoy hijacked; up to 14 abducted

As many as 14 people were abducted when a convoy of civilians was hijacked Thursday in southern Iraq, the U.S. military said. One official familiar with the incident said four Americans were believed to be among the captives.

Pentagon spokesman Bryan G. Whitman said that preliminary reports suggested the convoy included about 19 vehicles.

The official familiar with the incident, who requested anonymity because of the security situation in Iraq, said preliminary reports being checked by the military indicated that the attack occurred at a checkpoint near Nasiriya.

The official said some of the convoy drivers apparently had been released and were being interviewed by the military.

The convoy was being operated by the Crescent Security Group. The firm works mostly in Iraq and is based in Kuwait.