Iraqi officials say kidnappers have seized an American female journalist in Baghdad, and security forces are chasing the group.
This is a locator map for Iraq with its capital, Baghdad. and Iraqi security forces are pursuing her captors, Iraqi officials said. The Iraqi interior ministry said in a statement that a foreign journalist had been kidnapped, without giving more details about the journalist.
Two Iraqi security officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the case, said the kidnapped journalist was a woman with U.S. citizenship. They said that two cars were involved in the kidnapping, one of which crashed and was apprehended while being pursued by authorities near the town of Al-Haswa in Babil province southwest of Baghdad, and the journalist was transferred to a second car that fled the scene. The interior ministry said that security forces had launched an operation to track down the kidnappers, “acting on precise intelligence and through intensive field operations” after intercepting a vehicle belonging to the kidnappers that overturned as they tried to flee. One suspect was arrested and one of the vehicles used in the kidnapping was seized, but others remain on the loose, the statement said. Two security sources said that a journalist holding U.S. citizenship was kidnapped from central Baghdad, on Saadoun Street. They added that an alert was circulated to all checkpoints, leading to a pursuit of the kidnappers as they headed southwest of Baghdad toward Babil province. The sources said the kidnappers’ vehicle, with the journalist inside, was involved in a crash near the town of Al-Haswa in Babil province.The U.S. State Department said in a statement, “The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans. We are closing tracking these reports. Due to privacy and other considerations, we have nothing further to share at this time.” It was not immediately clear if the kidnapping was related to the ongoing regional war, but Iran-backed militias in Iraq have launched regular attacks on U.S. facilities in the country since the beginning of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. Since the start of the war, the U.S. embassy has warned of kidnapping risks and urged citizens in the country to leave., a Princeton graduate student with Israeli and Russian citizenship, disappeared in Baghdad in 2023. After she was freed and handed over to U.S. authorities in September 2025, she said that she had been held by the Iran-allied Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah.Associated Press writers Abby Sewell in Beirut and Stella Martany in Irbil, Iraq, contributed. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.One wrong move: The sometimes-life-threatening reality inside Jacksonville’s road work zonesJudge weights how to schedule Fernandez, Gardner trials amid jury selectionFake Instagram account created by high school students leads to former DCPS police officer’s arrestFake Instagram account created by high school students leads to former DCPS police officer’s arrestThe Jags are about to get a new 'home away from home' for 2027Woman found fatally shot in front yard of home on Jacksonville’s WestsideLawmakers hope new law spurs affordable housing, but some say it weakens local government control‘Crash zone’: Northside neighbors demand action on dangerous curveWoman found fatally shot in front yard of home on Jacksonville’s WestsideMeet our March Positively JAX winner: Waste Not Florida 💙♻️▶Florida court shuts down online gift card business based in Ponte Vedra, imposes over $800K in finesCashless touchscreens replace parking kiosks in downtown St. AugustineDNA test connects Clay County Navy veteran to WWII POW missing for over 80 yearsLoved ones say farewell to 23-year-old JFRD engineer who died in crashSt. Augustine replacing downtown parking kiosks with cashless touchscreensLoved ones mourn Jacksonville father of 4 killed in apartment shootingHundreds participate in Jacksonville ‘No Kings’ rally against Trump administration1:02Flagler College students protest housing policy as seniors cite affordability, availability concernsFlagler College students protest housing policy as seniors cite affordability, availability concernsIt's a great day for Jumbo Shrimp baseball! Join us tonight for the home opening weekendGAME DAY ⚾🦐 The defending Triple-A National Champion Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp returnDuval County schools warns families about unsanctioned ‘senior skip day’ at Jacksonville BeachShould an HOA or property management company be required to post parking rules for visitors?240 new affordable housing units are for ‘people who keep this city running,’ councilman saysFights erupt at Palatka Junior-Senior High after field trip focused on mental health
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
FBI on Scene After American Airlines Flight Diverted to DetroitThe flight was traveling from New York to Chicago when it was diverted, according to the flight data.
Read more »
FBI responds after disruptive customer forces American Airlines flight diversion to DTWAn American Airlines flight was diverted Sunday to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport due to a disruptive passenger.
Read more »
FBI responds after Chicago-bound American Airlines flight diverted to Detroit, officials sayA flight from New York to Chicago was forced to land in Detroit due a reported disturbance, officials said. The FBI responded to the scene in Michigan.
Read more »
On Iran's rugged frontier, Kurds yearn to join the fightWithout American and Iraqi support for their involvement,the Kurds are left to wait and train for a fight that may never come
Read more »
American Journalist Shelly Kittleson kidnapped by armed men in Baghdad, terrifying footage showsToday's Video Headlines: 03/31/26
Read more »
US journalist Shelly Kittleson kidnapped in Baghdad, Iraqi government confirmsShelly Kittleson, an award-winning journalist with Al-Monitor, was reporting on regional developments in Baghdad at the time of her kidnapping.
Read more »