According to an official statement from the FCC, Awwad was traveling with the third unit of USMC marines. He went missing after filing two reports from inside southern Iraq.

He is an Arab, and a Syrian citizen. Based in New Delhi for over a decade and half, he writes for several Arabic newspapers, and broadcasters for radio and television in the Gulf region, including MBC of London, Al Arabia TV of Dubai and Kuwait radio.

The last time he was heard on a video phone, he was shouting: "No, no I am not an American. I am a Syrian Journalist." After that the phone went dead.

The statement, quoting FCC president S Venkat Narayan, said, "We all are worried about him. His wife, three daughters and son are worried about his safety. This is an SOS to all FCC members now in and around Iraq, covering the war for their media organisations. Kindly help locate him and let me know as soon as possible"

The contact numbers are 91-011-26892295 and 9810060943