CAIRO, Jan. 4 (Xinhuanet) -- Nine Iranian soldiers were abducted by Sunni Muslim militants who demanded the authorities to set free jailed members, according to a video released by the al-Arabiya TV on Wednesday.

    A Sunni Muslim group, calling itself the "Organization of God's Soldiers for Sunni Mujahideen (Holy Fighters)", had kidnapped the Iranian soldiers in a southeastern province bordering with Pakistan, according to al-Arabiya.

    The report said the militants demanded the Iranian government to release 16 imprisoned members.

    The soldiers appealed to the Iranian government in the video aired by the TV channel to meet the kidnappers' demand in order to secure their release.

    No further details were revealed and the authenticity of the video could not be verified.

    Shiite Muslims, about 70 million in total, dominate Iran. Enditem