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Three Americans Missing in Baghdad


U.S. and Iraqi authorities are trying to find three Americans missing in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, officials from both countries said on January 17.

“We are working with the full cooperation of the Iraqi authorities to locate and recover the individuals," US State Department spokesman John Kirby said after Al-Arabiya television reported that the three Americans may have been kidnapped by "militias."

Citing unnamed sources, the broadcaster said the three had been kidnapped in the area of al-Dura in southern Baghdad.

An Iraqi police colonel, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the AFP news agency that according to information he had received, three Americans and an Iraqi translator were kidnapped by militiamen wearing military uniforms.

He added that Iraqi forces have launched an operation to locate them.

Paramilitary forces dominated by Iran-backed Shi'ite militias have been helping Iraq fight the Islamic State group. They have also been accused of abuses, including executions and kidnappings.

Based on reporting by AFP, dpa, and Reuters

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