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Americans missing in Baghdad kidnapped by Iran-backed militia: 4 sources
Motorists pass by the apartment complex where three Americans were reportedly kidnapped over the weekend. (AP)
Reuters
Published — Tuesday 19 January 2016
Last update 20 January 2016 1:04 am
BAGHDAD/WASHINGTON: Three US citizens who disappeared last week in Baghdad were kidnapped and are being held by an Iranian-backed Shiite militia, two Iraqi intelligence and two US government sources said on Tuesday.
The US sources said Washington had no reason to believe Tehran was involved in the kidnapping and does not believe the trio are being held in Iran, which borders Iraq.
“They were abducted because they are Americans, not for personal or financial reasons,” one of the Iraqi intelligence sources in Baghdad said.
Unknown gunmen seized the Americans on Friday from a private residence in the capital’s southeastern Dora district, according to Iraqi officials.
The Iraqi government has struggled to rein in the Shiite militias, many of which fought the US military following the 2003 invasion and have previously been accused of killing and abducting American nationals.
No US citizens have been abducted in Iraq since US troops withdrew from the country in 2011.
The State Department said on Sunday it was working with Iraqi authorities to locate Americans reported missing, without confirming they had been kidnapped.
Americans missing in Baghdad kidnapped by Iran-backed militia: 4 sources | Arab News
Motorists pass by the apartment complex where three Americans were reportedly kidnapped over the weekend. (AP)
Reuters
Published — Tuesday 19 January 2016
Last update 20 January 2016 1:04 am
BAGHDAD/WASHINGTON: Three US citizens who disappeared last week in Baghdad were kidnapped and are being held by an Iranian-backed Shiite militia, two Iraqi intelligence and two US government sources said on Tuesday.
The US sources said Washington had no reason to believe Tehran was involved in the kidnapping and does not believe the trio are being held in Iran, which borders Iraq.
“They were abducted because they are Americans, not for personal or financial reasons,” one of the Iraqi intelligence sources in Baghdad said.
Unknown gunmen seized the Americans on Friday from a private residence in the capital’s southeastern Dora district, according to Iraqi officials.
The Iraqi government has struggled to rein in the Shiite militias, many of which fought the US military following the 2003 invasion and have previously been accused of killing and abducting American nationals.
No US citizens have been abducted in Iraq since US troops withdrew from the country in 2011.
The State Department said on Sunday it was working with Iraqi authorities to locate Americans reported missing, without confirming they had been kidnapped.
Americans missing in Baghdad kidnapped by Iran-backed militia: 4 sources | Arab News
