Several male employees of the Iraqi ministry of higher education and research were kidnapped from a state research institute in central Baghdad earlier Tuesday.

Most of the employees had been "freed by interior ministry troops in different sections of Baghdad," the spokesman said.

Hundreds of U.S. and Iraqi army and police forces swept through Baghdad in armoured vehicles on Tuesday in the search for the hostages, who were nabbed shortly after beginning work in Karrada district.

Female staff members were locked in a room and their mobile phones taken.

Sound Off...What do you think? Join the discussion.

Copyright 2009 Deutsche Presse-Agentur. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

More Military Headlines

• Iraq, Afghan Refugees Start Over in US
• Pentagon Seeks More Power From Vehicles
• Underway at Last!
• Torn Between Two Loves
• Iraqis Taking the Lead? Yes and No