US aid worker killed in Baghdad
An American aid worker and missionary who was living in Baghdad has been shot dead outside his home, raising fears of fresh violence against westerners in Iraq.
Stephen Troell, 46, was turning his SUV into the street where he lived with his family in the Kerrada district when two cars pulled up. One blocked his way, while men in the second car fired at him through his car’s window.
He was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital. His wife Jocelyn was with him at the time but was said to be unhurt in the attack. She, their three daughters and a young son, also called Stephen, were said to be preparing to leave Iraq for their safety.
“Stephen Troell met his saviour face to face,” a statement issued by the family said. “Jocelyn, the girls and little Stephen are safe and will return to the United States in the next few days.”
Initial reports said it was an attempted kidnapping, though the speed of events may not support that theory.
Baghdad has been seen as relatively safe for foreigners in the past decade, except when Islamic State came within 50km of the city in 2014. Before that, there were numerous kidnappings of both Americans and British residents by Shia militias loyal to Iran.
The political offshoots of some of those militias are in power, having seen their appointee, Mohammed al-Sudani, become Prime Minister.
Mr Sudani has ordered an investigation into the killing.
Officials at the US State Department said they were “closely monitoring the local authority’s investigation into the cause of death”.
The Troells were working at the Global English Institute in Baghdad, which is affiliated to Millennium Relief and Development Services, an Iraqfocused US charity.
“We are greatly saddened by the tragedy that took the life of our colleague near his home in Baghdad,” a statement on the organisation’s website said.
“He loved the people of Iraq and it motivated him to strive for excellence in his work at Global. He will be … missed by all who knew him and were touched by his life.”