US Journalist Shelly Kittleson Released After Kidnapping in Baghdad
A US freelance journalist who was kidnapped in Baghdad, Iraq, a week ago has been released, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The Iran-backed militia group Kataib Hezbollah announced earlier on Tuesday that it would release Shelly Kittleson, who was abducted on 31 March, on the condition that she immediately leave Iraq.
Rubio stated that the release
"reflects the Trump Administration's steadfast commitment to the safety and security of American citizens, no matter where they are in the world".
He expressed gratitude to Iraqi officials for their assistance in securing her release and added that the US is now
"working to support her safe departure from Iraq".
Details of the Abduction and Response
At the time of the 49-year-old journalist's abduction, the Iraqi government reported that security forces pursued the suspects, resulting in one of the kidnappers' vehicles overturning and the arrest of one individual.
Last week, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani ordered security forces to intensify efforts to apprehend those responsible for abducting foreigners.
In a separate statement, Assaf, a representative of Kataib Hezbollah, indicated that the group would release a recording demonstrating Kittleson's
"role and activities in Iraq", though no further details were provided.
Context of the Abduction
The kidnapping occurred amid ongoing attacks by Iran and its allied Iraqi Shia militias targeting US-associated sites across Iraq and the wider region since the onset of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Kittleson's friend and emergency contact, CNN national security analyst Alex Plitsas, mentioned that he had seen the
"alleged statement"regarding her release but noted that
"we have no official confirmation from the United States government that this is true".
It is understood that US officials had contacted Kittleson multiple times prior to her kidnapping to warn her of threats.
Plitsas previously told CBS, the BBC's US news partner, that Kittleson had been warned by the US government about a specific threat from Iran-backed paramilitary groups.
He explained that Kittleson was informed her name was on a list held by Kataib Hezbollah, which was reportedly planning to kidnap or kill female journalists.
Background on Shelly Kittleson
Kittleson, who is based in Rome, Italy, has reported on conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. According to her bio on X, she has contributed to numerous publications.
The US State Department has issued warnings advising citizens against traveling to Iraq.
