Up to 150 people kidnapped, all at once, in Baghdad today

Jesus Christ.

Gunmen wearing Iraqi police commando uniforms kidnapped up to 150 staff and visitors in a lightning raid on a government research institute in downtown Baghdad on Tuesday, the largest mass abduction since the start of the U.S. occupation....

''It was quick operation. It took about 10 to 15 minutes,'' Theyab said. ''It was a four-story building and the gunmen went to the four stories.''....

Police and witnesses said about 80 gunmen were involved in the raid on the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Scholarships and Cultural Relations Directorate in the downtown Karradah district.