Who is Shelly Kittleson? American journalist kidnapped in Baghdad

A U.S. State Department official confirmed awareness of the incident but did not initially disclose the journalist’s identity. Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson later addressed the matter on X, stating that the department is coordinating with the FBI to secure her release.

“The U.S. Department of State is aware of the reported kidnapping of an American journalist in Baghdad, Iraq,” Johnson wrote.

“The State Department previously fulfilled its duty to warn this individual of threats against them and will continue to coordinate with the FBI to ensure their release as quickly as possible.”

Johnson also said that an individual linked to the Iranian-aligned militia Kataib Hezbollah is believed to be involved in the abduction and has been taken into custody by Iraqi authorities.

Reiterating its advisory, the State Department said Iraq remains at Level 4 — ‘Do Not Travel’, urging all Americans to avoid travel to the country and those already there to leave immediately.

Meanwhile, Iraq’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the kidnapping of a foreign journalist without naming Kittleson.

In a statement, the Interior Ministry said security forces launched an immediate operation following the incident.

“The Ministry of the Interior announces that, in the evening of this day, a foreign journalist encountered an incident of kidnapping by unknown people, and immediately the specialized security forces dispatched their duties to pursue the criminals, according to accurate intelligence information and an intensive field effort to track the path of the kidnappers," the Ministry said.

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Authorities reported that a suspect vehicle overturned while attempting to flee, leading to the arrest of one individual and the seizure of a vehicle used in the crime. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other suspects and secure the journalist’s release.

What is Kataib Hezbollah?

Kataib Hezbollah is an Iraqi Shia Islamist militant group designated as a terrorist organisation by the United States. Active since 2007, the group has carried out numerous attacks against Iraqi, U.S., and coalition targets.

According to the U.S. State Department, the group follows a hardline anti-Western and jihadist ideology and has employed tactics such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs), rocket-propelled grenades, and sniper attacks. It has also targeted Baghdad’s International Zone, including a 2008 rocket attack that killed two UN workers. The group maintains ideological links with Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

Who is Shelly Kittleson?

Shelly Kittleson is an American freelance journalist currently based in Rome, Italy. She has extensive experience reporting from conflict zones, including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.

Kittleson has contributed to several international outlets, including Al-Monitor, BBC World Service, and Foreign Policy, and is known for her on-ground reporting in high-risk environments.