An Iraqi court has sentenced an Iranian and four Iraqis to life in prison for the murder of a US civilian, Stephen Troell, in Baghdad. Troell, who had been living in Baghdad with his family, was shot dead in unclear circumstances on November 7. The five men confessed to the murder and stated that their intention had been to kidnap Troell for ransom, not to kill him. The United States welcomed the ruling, emphasizing the importance of justice and accountability.

Troell's murder raises questions as to why such attacks on foreigners have been rare in recent years in Baghdad. Troell, an English teacher, was known for his strong Christian faith. Despite improvements in security since the defeat of the Islamic State group in 2017, political violence still persists in Iraq. In addition, a campaign of killings and kidnappings occurred after a popular revolt against the government in 2019. No group has claimed responsibility for these crimes, but pro-Iran groups have often been suspected. The number of small arms in Iraq is estimated to be 7.6 million, raising concerns about the prevalence of weapons in the country.