U.S. journalist Shelly Kittleson was abducted in Baghdad, and authorities have detained a suspect connected to an Iran-aligned militia.
U.S. freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped in Baghdad on Tuesday evening, as reported by Al-Monitor, a news outlet for which she has contributed articles. Iraqi officials stated that one of the suspects is linked to the Iran-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah.
Security Forces Respond to Abduction
Iraqi interior ministry forces launched an immediate operation to apprehend the kidnappers, using precise intelligence and field tracking. During a pursuit, one of the kidnappers' vehicles overturned, leading to the arrest of one suspect.
The U.S. State Department confirmed awareness of the kidnapping and is coordinating with Iraqi authorities and the FBI to secure Kittleson's release. Officials had previously warned her of threats, including as recently as Monday night, according to statements from U.S. sources.
Al-Monitor expressed deep alarm over the incident and called for Kittleson's safe and immediate release. Local reports indicate she was taken near a hotel in central Baghdad.
Kittleson, based in Rome, Italy, has covered conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria for various publications. An Iraqi official told CBS that authorities are working at the highest levels to resolve the situation.
Sources familiar with the matter informed CBS that multiple U.S. agencies, including the FBI, National Security Council, State Department, Delta Force, and Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service, are in contact regarding the abduction. Baghdad has seen a decrease in such incidents as security has improved in recent years.