A senior official in Iraq’s oil ministry was kidnapped in Baghdad on Nov. 4 but quickly freed by security forces, Baghdad operations command said in a statement.
The capital of Iraq, OPEC’s second biggest oil exporter, has seen a proliferation in recent years of well-armed criminal gangs that carry out contract killings, kidnappings and extortion.
Militants wearing military uniforms seized the official, who was not named but holds the rank of general manager, in the northern district of al-Salikh.
Security forces captured the perpetrators, in a convoy of four vehicles, after following them and then blocking the road.
The command center did not identify them or their affiliation.
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi praised the security forces in a separate statement and pledged to protect Iraqis by “striking against criminal gangs.”
Some members of powerful Shi’ite armed groups, which are seen as a critical deterrent against Islamic State militants, have also been accused of kidnapping people for political or criminal purposes, allegations they deny.
Iraq is also gripped by a sectarian conflict mostly between Shi'ite and Sunni Muslims that has been exacerbated by the rise of the ultra-hardline Islamic State group, which seized large swathes of territory.
Recommended Reading
Keeping it Simple: Antero Stays on Profitable Course in 1Q
2024-04-26 - Bucking trend, Antero Resources posted a slight increase in natural gas production as other companies curtailed production.
Oil and Gas Chain Reaction: E&P M&A Begets OFS Consolidation
2024-04-26 - Record-breaking E&P consolidation is rippling into oilfield services, with much more M&A on the way.
Exxon Mobil, Chevron See Profits Fall in 1Q Earnings
2024-04-26 - Chevron and Exxon Mobil are feeling the pinch of weak energy prices, particularly natural gas, and fuels margins that have cooled in the last year.
Marathon Oil Declares 1Q Dividend
2024-04-26 - Marathon Oil’s first quarter 2024 dividend is payable on June 10.
Talos Energy Expands Leadership Team After $1.29B QuarterNorth Deal
2024-04-25 - Talos Energy President and CEO Tim Duncan said the company has expanded its leadership team as the company integrates its QuarterNorth Energy acquisition.