U.S. Journalist Kidnapped in Baghdad

An American journalist was kidnapped on Tuesday in Baghdad, prompting Iraqi security forces to launch a large-scale operation to track down the perpetrators, officials confirmed.

The Iraqi Interior Ministry said in a statement that a foreign journalist had been abducted but did not disclose further details. However, security sources later confirmed that the victim is a female journalist holding U.S. citizenship.

According to two Iraqi security officials, the kidnapping took place in central Baghdad on Saadoun Street. The attackers reportedly used two vehicles during the operation. One of the vehicles overturned while attempting to flee near the town of Al-Haswa in Babil province, southwest of the capital.

Authorities intercepted the crashed vehicle and arrested one suspect, but the journalist had already been transferred to a second car, which managed to escape.

The Interior Ministry stated that security forces are continuing intensive field operations based on precise intelligence to locate the remaining suspects and rescue the victim. Alerts have been issued to checkpoints across the region as part of the ongoing pursuit.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad declined to comment on the incident. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department said it is closely monitoring the situation, stressing that the safety and security of American citizens remains a top priority.

It remains unclear whether the kidnapping is linked to ongoing regional tensions. However, Iran-backed militias in Iraq have previously carried out attacks on U.S. targets, and foreign nationals have been abducted in the country in the past.

Since the escalation of regional conflict, U.S. authorities have warned citizens of increased security risks in Iraq, including potential kidnappings, and have urged them to leave the country