CNN
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According to Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani, a US citizen was murdered in Baghdad on Monday.
A US State Department spokesman on Tuesday confirmed that American Stephen Edward Troell had died in Baghdad, noting that they are “closely monitoring the local government’s investigation into the cause of death”.
“The timing of the killing of an American citizen in Baghdad raises a question mark,” al-Sudani said Monday, adding: “Security is a red line.”
Two armed men attacked a vehicle Troell was driving in downtown Baghdad, security sources told CNN. Troell was severely injured in the attack and was transported to a nearby hospital for medical care, but he later succumbed to his injuries.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the murder.
Iraq’s foreign ministry said investigations into the attack were being carried out by security officials in Baghdad.
Troell lived in Baghdad for two years and worked for a civil society organization teaching English to Iraqis.
“With great sadness and sadness, we bid our farewell to our loved one, Stephen Troell, who has always loved the country and Iraqi people and sought to serve them,” said Global English Institute Baghdad, where Troell worked. , said in a statement Tuesday.
US Ambassador to Iraq Alina Romanowski expressed her thanks on Twitter Tuesday to “the Iraqi people for their messages of support following the brutal killing of Steven Troell last night in Baghdad.”
“He is here as an individual doing what he loves – working (with) the Iraqi people. My deepest condolences to his wife and children,” wrote Romanowski.
A State Department spokesman said US officials were “ready to provide any appropriate consular assistance” following the incident.
