A US freelance journalist, Shelly Kittleson, has been kidnapped in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, prompting a high-level security response from both Iraqi and American authorities.
Kittleson, who has reported extensively on conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria, was abducted on Tuesday evening near a hotel in central Baghdad, according to the US-based news outlet Al-Monitor, where she has contributed.
Iraqi officials confirmed that security forces quickly launched an operation to track down the kidnappers. During the pursuit, one of the suspects’ vehicles overturned, leading to the arrest of an individual believed to have links to the Iran-backed militia group Kataib Hezbollah.
A US State Department official acknowledged the abduction of an American journalist but did not publicly identify Kittleson. However, officials confirmed that she had received multiple warnings about threats to her safety, including as recently as Monday night. These warnings reportedly indicated that Iran-aligned paramilitary groups were planning to target female journalists.
Kittleson’s emergency contact, Alex Plitsas, a CNN national security analyst, revealed that she had been specifically warned her name appeared on a list held by Kataib Hezbollah, suggesting she was a potential target for kidnapping or assassination. Despite the warnings, she is believed to have considered the threat not credible.
The US State Department stated that it is working closely with Iraqi authorities to secure her safe release. Agencies including the FBI, National Security Council, and Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service are reportedly coordinating efforts.
In a statement, Iraq’s Interior Ministry said security forces were acting on precise intelligence and had intensified field operations to locate the remaining suspects and ensure the journalist’s release.
Al-Monitor expressed deep concern over the incident and called for Kittleson’s immediate and safe return.
Although Baghdad was once notorious for kidnappings, such incidents have significantly declined in recent years due to improved security conditions. However, this abduction underscores the persistent risks faced by journalists operating in conflict-prone regions.
