Qa'dah 23, 1431 H/Oct 31, 2010, SPA -- Iraqi Christians who were held hostage by militants in a Baghdad church Sunday were released after Iraqi forces stormed the building and killed the four militants, dpa cited a parliamentarian as saying. One of the hostages was killed in the process, which took place after forces managed to secure the release of 19 nuns, Iraqi Christian parliamentarian Yonadem Kana told the German Press Agency dpa. The millitants had taken the hostages inside the Syrian Catholic church in central Baghdad earlier Sunday. Witnesses told dpa that the church was targeted during the Sunday service, adding that the sound of gunfire could be heard across al-Karrada, a mixed Shiite-Christian neighbourhood. "An armed attack targeted the Sayedat al-Najah Church in al-Karrada," Qassem Atta, spokesman for Baghdad Operations Command, said earlier. It was not clear how many people had been held, but women and children were reportedly among the hostages. "Churches used to be attacked in this neighbourhood, but not recently," said one of the area's residents. "We are not used to this anymore." An armed group of gunmen tried to raid nearby Baghdad Capital Market on Sunday evening using stun bombs, Aswat al-Iraq news agency reported. The market guards withstood the attack, and the gunmen withdrew in the direction of Sayedat al-Najah Church. Sources at the Interior Ministry only confirmed that four people were injured earlier when two bombs went off consecutively outside the church. No further details were available. Security officials said the Baghdad Capital Market had now been secured and was ready to resume business, al-Baghdadiya TV reported.
