Israeli-Russian researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov, who was abducted in Baghdad on March 21, is alive, according to the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Tsurkov, who was conducting research for her doctoral thesis on patronage networks for Princeton University, is being held by Kataib Hezbollah, a radical Iran-backed Shiite paramilitary group. The group is part of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), which was formed to fight the Islamic State. It is believed that the militia that kidnapped Tsurkov is acting in concert with Iran to use her as a bargaining chip. The Israeli government, with the involvement of President Vladimir Putin, is working to secure her release. Tsurkov’s mother, Irina, expressed concern for her daughter’s safety and stated that she had not been contacted by Israeli officials. Tsurkov is the second Princeton doctoral student to be taken hostage, following Xiyue Wang in 2016. Wang criticized Princeton for allowing students to conduct research in countries where the risk of abduction exists. Tsurkov, known for her reporting on the Syrian uprising, underwent surgery for a back injury in a Baghdad hospital prior to her abduction. She had been interviewing adherents of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr before his announcement to suspend his movement for one year.
How does the abduction of Elizabeth Tsurkov highlight the influence and activities of Iran-backed paramilitary groups in Iraq
Israeli-Russian researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov, who was abducted in Baghdad on March 21, has been confirmed alive, says the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Tsurkov, conducting research for her doctoral thesis on patronage networks at Princeton University, is currently being held by Kataib Hezbollah—a radical Iran-backed Shiite paramilitary group. This group is a part of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), formed to combat the Islamic State. It is believed that the militia that took Tsurkov is working alongside Iran, intending to use her as a hostage for negotiations. The Israeli government, in collaboration with President Vladimir Putin, is tirelessly working towards securing her safe release. Tsurkov’s mother, Irina, is understandably worried about her daughter’s safety and admits she has not heard from Israeli officials. It is worth mentioning that Tsurkov is the second Princeton doctoral student to be kidnapped, following Xiyue Wang in 2016. Wang did not hesitate to criticize Princeton for allowing students to conduct research in countries where the risk of abduction is significant. Prior to her abduction, Tsurkov, well-known for reporting on the Syrian uprising, underwent surgery for a back injury at a Baghdad hospital. Interestingly, she had been interviewing followers of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr before his recent announcement to suspend his movement for one whole year.
This article highlights the alarming situation faced by researchers working in volatile regions. It is disheartening to hear about the abduction of an Israeli-Russian researcher in Baghdad, allegedly by an Iran-backed militia. Such incidents have severe consequences for global cooperation in scientific research and further escalate tensions in the region. It is crucial for governments and organizations to prioritize the safety and protection of researchers in such environments.