Special report:Tension escalates in Iraq

    BAGHDAD, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- A well-known Iraqi actor and director working for the private al-Sharqiya satellite channel was found killed in western Baghdad on Monday, the channel reported.

    Walid Hassan Ja'az, a well-known comedian in Iraq for his roles in television series and stage plays, was found killed in Baghdad's Yarmouk district, the TV station said in a statement posted on its website.

    Unknown gunmen ambushed Ja'az and tried to kidnap him, but they shot him dead after he fought against them, the statement said.

    On Nov. 13, a cameraman, Muhammad Mahmoud al-Ban, 56, working for the channel, was killed in Mosul by unknown gunmen.

    Earlier in the month, Ahmed al-Rasheed, 29, a correspondent of the al-Sharqiya was shot dead by gunmen in Baghdad's northern Azamiyah neighborhood.