US Journalist Shelly Kittleson Kidnapped in Baghdad: A Developing Situation

Wed Apr 01 2026 16:40:59 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped in Baghdad, with links suggesting involvement from Iran-backed militia. The US and local authorities are coordinating efforts for her release.

Freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson was abducted in Baghdad on Tuesday, raising concerns over her safety. Suspects linked to an Iran-backed militia are under investigation, and security forces have initiated a pursuit to locate her. The US State Department is actively involved, having previously warned Kittleson about potential threats related to her reporting. Al-Monitor, the publication she contributed to, has called for her immediate and safe release as authorities confirm efforts to apprehend the kidnappers.

A US freelance journalist has been kidnapped in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, and one of the suspects is linked to an Iran-backed militia, Iraqi and US officials say.

Shelly Kittleson was abducted on Tuesday evening, said Al-Monitor, a news outlet for which she has contributed articles.

The Iraqi interior ministry reported that security forces chased the reporter's abductors, resulting in one of the kidnappers' cars overturning and the arrest of one suspect.

A US State Department official confirmed the involvement of an individual tied to an Iranian-aligned militia group, Kataib Hezbollah.

Dylan Johnson, assistant secretary of state for global public affairs, confirmed the abduction of an American journalist, without naming Kittleson. He stated, The State Department previously fulfilled our duty to warn this individual of threats against them and we will continue to coordinate with the FBI to ensure their release as quickly as possible. It was noted that US officials had warned Kittleson multiple times of threats against her, including as recently as Monday night.

The State Department remarked to the BBC: Due to privacy and other considerations, we have nothing further to share at this time. Al-Monitor reported that Kittleson was taken near a hotel in Baghdad's heart.

In response to her kidnapping, local news sources highlighted that the State Department is collaborating with the Iraqi government for her release, with officials expressing their alarm at the situation.

An Iraqi official confirmed that local authorities are engaging at the highest level to secure Kittleson's release.

Her emergency contact, CNN national security analyst Alex Plitsas, mentioned that Kittleson had been warned by the US government about specific threats posed by Iran-backed paramilitaries.

Kataib Hezbollah was reportedly plotting to target female journalists, and Plitsas stated that Kittleson's name appeared on a list in the possession of this militia.

The Iraqi interior ministry emphasized that security forces launched an operation to apprehend the perpetrators based on precise intelligence, affirming that efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining abductors.

According to sources, including the FBI and Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service, discussions about Kittleson's abduction are currently taking place across multiple US security agencies.

Historically, Baghdad has been known for kidnappings; however, these occurrences have declined in recent years as the security conditions have improved.