Iraqi Militia Linked to Iran Claims Responsibility for US Journalist Kidnapping in Baghdad

A U.S. Journalist, Shelly Kittleson, has been kidnapped in Baghdad, Iraq, with Iraqi and U.S. Officials indicating the involvement of an Iran-backed militia, Kataib Hezbollah. The kidnapping occurred on Tuesday evening, according to Al-Monitor, a news outlet for which Kittleson has contributed articles.

Iraqi security forces pursued the kidnappers, leading to a car overturning and the arrest of one suspect, the Iraqi interior ministry stated. A U.S. State Department official confirmed that the detained individual has ties to Kataib Hezbollah.

Dylan Johnson, assistant secretary of state for global public affairs, confirmed the abduction of an American journalist without naming Kittleson. He posted on X, stating that the State Department had previously warned the journalist of threats and will continue to coordinate with the FBI for their release.

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

Dylan Johnson, assistant secretary of state for global public affairs

U.S. Officials had contacted Kittleson multiple times regarding threats, including as recently as Monday night. The State Department stated it has no further information to share at this time due to privacy considerations.

Kittleson, a freelance journalist, has covered conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. Local reports indicate she was abducted near a hotel in central Baghdad, according to Al-Monitor. The U.S. Outlet stated it was “deeply alarmed” by the kidnapping and called for her safe and immediate release.

Baghdad was previously known for kidnappings, but such incidents have decreased in recent years with improvements in the security situation in Iraq, the BBC reported. Iraqi authorities are working “at the highest level” to secure Kittleson’s release, according to a CBS News report confirmed by an Iraqi official.

The kidnapping comes amid heightened tensions in the region, and the alleged involvement of Kataib Hezbollah raises concerns about Iran’s influence in Iraq. Kataib Hezbollah is a Shia militia group with close ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.