48 Iranian pilgrims confirmed kidnapped in Syria: TV

DAMASCUS, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- A source from the Iranian embassy in Damascus confirmed the kidnapping of 48 Iranian pilgrims while they were on their way to Damascus from the airport Saturday, according to the Lebanese NBN TV.

Further information about the abduction is still forthcoming, but kidnapping Shiite pilgrims in Syria has become common in recent day as the crisis in Syria veered toward a sectarian rift.

The capital Damascus and Aleppo, Syria's two largest cities, have been witnessing intense clashes lately between the government forces and opposition fighters. Enditem