How Shi’ite Militias Are Turning Iraq into Kidnapping Hunting Grounds

On January 16, armed  Shi’ite militia kidnapped three American contractors from an apartment in Baghdad’s southeastern Dora district. The group’s interpreter was also kidnapped by the militia.

An Iraqi police colonel, told the French news network Agence New-Presse (AFP), that the Americans were kidnapped by militia men wearing military uniforms.

Iraqi Police noted that the region the contractors were kidnapped is largely controlled by Shi’ite militia including the Iranian backed Asaib Ahl al-Haq, or League of the Righteous.

Kidnappings have been on the rise by Shi’ite militias throughout Iraq. In September 2015, Shi’ite militia kidnapped 18 Turkish construction workers in a predominately Shi’ite region. They made them appear in a propaganda video holding up a banner reading, “Death Squads” and “Oh, Hussein,” both Shi’ite slogans. The workers were later released. In December 2015, a group of 26 Qatari hunters, including members of the ruling family, were kidnapped in the Iraqi desert.

Further investigations into the interpreter’s home by authorities found that owner of the complex Abu Maria, was known to throw illicit parties.  Witnesses say the militia kidnapped the Americans on Saturday, in broad day light, and only one hundred yards from a police station.

Before United States forces started pulling out of Iraq in 2011,  there were a number of western citizens who were kidnapped and killed by Shia as well as Sunni Jihadists, but none have been abducted since.

State Department Spokesman, John Kirby, was asked by reporter Matt Lee, if the government is working with Iranian authorities since the militia men who kidnapped the contractors were Shi’ite.  John Kirby stated, “Shi’ite militia were operating in the area, and that some, but not all were influenced by Tehran.”

A State Department source said that the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, received threat information last week that an Iranian-backed Shi’ite militia group wanted to seize an American or American contractor.

Responding to the call of Shi’ite clerics in the summer of 2014, Shi’ite militias began fighting Islamic State (IS) forces in the northern and western provinces in Iraq. The Shi’ite militia in Iraq now has more power than the country’s security and military forces.

Despite Shi’ite militia fighting alongside U.S. coalition forces against the Islamic States, they are still very anti-American, and have made threats to attack American soldiers if more arrive.

The three contractors who were kidnapped included Amaro Mohammad, Wael al-Mahdawi both of whom worked for General Dynamics, and third contractor was Rusul Furad, her employer is unknown. Two senior security officials noted that Wael al-Mahdawi and Rusul Furad were both of Iraqi origin, and Amaro Mohammad of Egyptian origin.

Contractors were sent to assist Iraq’s Special Operations Forces (ISOF) as part of the country’s counter terrorism  service after Baghdad asked Washington for further assistance. General Dynamics said its contractors provided “sustainment training” to the Iraq’s Special Forces 1st Brigade and subordinate units near Baghdad Airport.

The Iraqi Special Operations Forces are vital to the nation and regions stability as they were successful in mounting a victory of the Islamic State in the Western Iraq city of Ramadi with Shi’ite militia support. United States Military trained Iraqi Special Operations Forces but relationships devolved following the United States departure from Iraq.

Officials in Washington had hoped the Iranian government would tell the militia groups to hold off because of all the negotiations of the prisoner swap that saw five Americans released. A State Department source said, “The fear was one of the groups might have gone off the reservation.” However, given the recent ransoming of captured Americans by the Iranians, together with the detaining of U.S. Sailors suggests the Iranians place high value on their ability to openly seize U.S. citizens without fear of substantial consequence.

The State Department claims that the safety of Americans abroad is their top priority, but they willingly knew the risks and threats towards Americans in Iraq, and now those contractors safety could be in serious danger.