The gunmen set an videotaped ultimatum of Turkish companies withdrawing from Iraq within 72 hours, warning to behead the three hostages after that. Photo by BBC.
Three Turkish workers in Iraq are reportedly kidnapped by affiliates of Al-Qaeda linked Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
In a footage aired by Arab TV Al-Jazeera the kidnappers, claiming pertinence to al-Zarqawi's group Tawhid and Jihad, threatened to behead the Turkish within 72 hours, unless Turkish companies withdraw from the post-war country.
The report of the abduction came hours before President Bush was to arrive in Turkey for a NATO summit, which will focus on winning the Alliance's help in establishing security in Iraq.
Al-Zarqawi's movement has also claimed responsibility for kidnapping and beheading American businessman Nicholas Berg last month and South Korean hostage Kim Sun-il last week.