Americans in Baghdad kidnapped by militia

US government and Iraqi intelligence sources say three Americans who disappeared in Baghdad last week were kidnapped.

A file photograph dated on 24 April 2007 shows US troops patrolling in the streets of Baghdad, Iraq. Source: AAP

Three US citizens who disappeared last week in Baghdad were kidnapped and are being held by an Iranian-backed Shi'ite militia, Iraqi intelligence and US government sources say.

Two US sources on Tuesday said Washington had no reason to believe Tehran was involved in the kidnapping and does not believe the trio are being held in Iran, which borders Iraq.

"They were abducted because they are Americans, not for personal or financial reasons," one of two Iraqi intelligence sources in Baghdad said.

The State Department on Sunday said it was working with Iraqi authorities to locate Americans reported missing, without confirming they had been kidnapped.