crime

US journalist kidnapped in Baghdad as Iraqi forces pursue captors

An American reporter was kidnapped in central Baghdad; one suspect has been detained and a vehicle seized while security forces hunt remaining captors, Iraqi officials say.

Mar 31st 2026 · Iraq

Insights

  • A US woman journalist was abducted from Saadoun Street in central Baghdad on Tuesday.
  • Iraqi forces intercepted a kidnappers' vehicle that overturned near Al-Haswa in Babil province, arresting one suspect and seizing the car.
  • The journalist was transferred to a second vehicle that fled the scene and other suspects remain at large.
  • The Interior Ministry says security forces launched an operation based on precise intelligence to locate the captors.
  • The US Embassy declined to comment and the State Department said it is closely tracking the reports while citing privacy constraints, and the motive remains unclear.