Journalist kidnapped in Iraq, country's interior ministry says

A journalist was kidnapped in Iraq on Tuesday by unknown individuals, according to the country’s Ministry of Interior.

The ministry identified the journalist as a foreign woman. As of Tuesday afternoon, it is not clear where the journalist is from or which news organization or organizations she works for.

The Associated Press reported, citing two Iraqi security officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, that the journalist is American, which has not been independently verified by NBC News.

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When contacted for comment, a State Department spokesperson said they were “closely tracking these reports.”

“Due to privacy and other considerations, we have nothing further to share at this time,” it added.

The Iraqi ministry said in a statement that security forces pursued the kidnappers’ vehicle which resulted in it overturning as they fled.

“Security forces were able to arrest one of the suspects and seize one of the vehicles used in the crime,” the ministry said in a statement. “The Ministry affirms that efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining individuals involved, secure the release of the kidnapped journalist, and take all necessary legal measures against all those involved in this criminal act, in accordance with the law.”

The investigation into the kidnapping is ongoing.

Since the U.S. and Israel launched a military campaign in Iran and the surrounding region, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad has been warning that terrorist militias within Iraq may attempt to kidnap Americans.

In a security alert on Sunday, the embassy warned that “U.S. citizens choosing to remain in Iraq are doing so at significant risk.”

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