U.S. confirms release of 3 Americans abducted in Baghdad

Three U.S. citizens who were kidnapped in Baghdad last month have been released, according to Iraqi media reports on Tuesday that were confirmed by a senior Iraqi government source.

They added that the three are in good health are in the custody of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

A security operation was underway in the al-Saha part of the Dora neighborhood, an Iraqi intelligence official with Baghdad operations command told CNN.

In a statement today, a State Department spokesman expressed thanks for the Iraqi government’s efforts that led to “the safe release of these individuals”.

The Iraqi government has struggled to rein in the Shi’ite militias, many of which fought the USA military following the 2003 invasion and have previously been accused of killing and abducting American nationals.

The three men were employed by a small company working for General Dynamics Corps under a U.S. Army contract.

An Iraqi police colonel told AFP on condition of anonymity that the Americans had been brought to the apartment for “drinking and women”.

The U.S. State Department on Tuesday said it “welcomes the news that the government of Iraq has secured the release of three U.S. citizens who were reported as missing in January”. The name of the third man has not been made available.