March 31, 2026, 11:05 p.mMarch 31, 2026, 11:05 p.m
Women in downtown Baghdad. (symbol image)Image: keystone
According to government reports, a foreign journalist has been kidnapped in Iraq. According to the state news agency INA, the Interior Ministry announced that the journalist had been “kidnapped by unknown persons” in Baghdad that evening. It was not clear in the statement which journalist it was. However, a representative of the US State Department wrote on Platform X that they were aware of the reported kidnapping of an American journalist in Baghdad.
The Foreign Ministry had previously fulfilled its obligation to warn this person about threats directed against him, it said. We will continue to coordinate with the Federal Police FBI to ensure his release as quickly as possible. A person with ties to the Iran-aligned militia Kataib Hezbollah, who was suspected of being involved in the kidnapping, was arrested by Iraqi authorities.
The Iraqi statement also said that a suspected kidnapper had been arrested during a search. Further measures were taken to free the journalist and track down those involved.
The US State Department representative emphasized in his post that Americans are still advised not to travel to Iraq or to leave the country immediately. The State Department strongly encourages all Americans, including members of the press, to follow all travel advisories. (sda/dpa)