An American freelance journalist named Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped on Tuesday in Baghdad, Iraq, in what appears to be a brazen daylight abduction.
Kittleson, who has reported extensively from the Middle East for outlets like Al-Monitor, was taken off the street in central Baghdad. Security camera footage circulating on social media shows her standing on a sidewalk when a silver car pulls up, and armed men quickly pull her inside before speeding away.
Iraqi authorities say they’re actively searching for her, with the country’s Interior Ministry confirming that a foreign journalist—a woman—was kidnapped.
They’ve already arrested one suspect and seized a vehicle believed to be involved, while pursuing others.U.S. officials have pointed the finger at Kataib Hezbollah, a powerful Iran-backed militia known for targeting Americans in the past. One person with ties to the group is now in Iraqi custody in connection with the kidnapping. Reports also suggest the U.S.
government had recently warned Kittleson about a specific threat from this militia, including possible plans to kidnap or harm her.Kittleson, 49, originally from Wisconsin, is a seasoned reporter with years of experience covering Iraq, Afghanistan, and the wider region.
Colleagues and the outlets she worked with have expressed deep concern and are calling for her immediate and safe release.As of now, there’s no word on her whereabouts or the full motives behind the abduction, but the incident has heightened tensions amid ongoing regional instability. Iraqi security forces say the search is being handled at the highest levels.