'Several' Americans missing in Iraq after reports of kidnappings
The US embassy in Baghdad has confirmed that "several" Americans are missing in Iraq after local media reported three Americans had been kidnapped in the Iraqi capital.
US embassy spokesman Scott Bolz said on Sunday: "We are working in full co-operation with Iraqi authorities to locate the missing Americans."
“The safety and security of American citizens overseas is our highest priority,” he continued.
His comments came after Arab news channel al-Arabiya, citing its own sources, reported that three Americans had been kidnapped by militias in Baghdad.
We are reporting on Al Arabiya according to well informed sources that 3 #Americans have been kidnapped in #Baghdad by Militia members.
— Talal Al-Haj (@TalalAlhaj) January 17, 2016
Three American contractors went missing in #baghdad #Iraq two days ago - senior security official
— Michael Holmes (@holmescnn) January 17, 2016
The incident comes after a week that has seen a deterioration of security in and around the Iraqi capital after months of relative calm.
The Islamic State group claimed a number of attacks in Baghdad and Diyala province last week that killed more than 50 people, including a high-profile attack on a mall in the Iraqi capital.
