Iraqi Security Forces Assist in Freeing Three US Citizens

The Iraqi security forces helped liberate three US citizens kidnapped in Iraq in January, US State Department deputy spokesperson Mark Toner said in a statement on Tuesday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US contractors, who went missing after they had been kidnapped from an apartment in Baghdad, were first US citizens to disappear in the country following US troops withdrawal in 2011, CBC News reported.

“The Department of State welcomes the news that the Government of Iraq has secured the release of three US citizens who were reported as missing in January,” Toner stated.

“Specifically, we express our gratitude to the Iraqi Security Forces, and in particular the Ministry of Defense and the Iraqi National Intelligence Service, for their role in achieving this outcome.”

US media has previously reported that the individuals were held captive by a Shiite militia.