The security situation in war-torn Iraq is showing signs of increasing deterioration as kidnappings of foreigners by Iraqi insurgents seem to be occurring one after another.

On Thursday alone, seven foreigners, including three Japanese, one Briton and one American, in addition to seven briefly detained South Koreans, were confirmed to have been captured by armed groups.

The Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs said a Canadian relief worker in the Gulf nation was also confirmed to have been kidnapped.

In tandem with the rising number of abductions, a number of bloody clashes are erupting across the war-devastated nation as Shiite militiamen continue to engage in fierce fighting with U.S.-led coalition forces.

Meanwhile, some 280 Iraqis and five U.S. Marines were killed over the past four days in fighting in Fallujah, the Sunni stronghold west of Baghdad.