A US freelance journalist has been kidnapped in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, and one of the suspects is linked to an Iran-backed militia, Iraqi and US officials say. Shelly Kittleson was abducted on Tuesday evening, said Al-Monitor, a news outlet for which she has contributed articles. The Iraqi interior ministry reported that security forces chased the reporter's abductors, resulting in the overturning of a kidnapper's car and the arrest of one suspect. A US state department official stated that an individual with ties to the Iranian-aligned militia group, Kataib Hezbollah, was detained by Iraqi authorities. Dylan Johnson, assistant secretary of state for global public affairs, confirmed the abduction of an American journalist without naming Kittleson. He posted on X: The State Department previously fulfilled our 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. US officials had cautioned Kittleson about threats against her as recently as Monday night. Al-Monitor, which is based in the US, said local reports indicate she was taken near a hotel in the heart of the capital, adding that the state department confirmed it is aware of Kittleson's kidnapping and is working with the Iraqi government for her release. The Iraqi official confirmed to CBS that local authorities were operating at the highest level to secure her return. Kittleson, who covers conflicts in the region, has received warnings of possible threats due to her work, particularly from paramilitaries aligned with Iran, including Kataib Hezbollah, which was reportedly plotting to target female journalists. The situation remains tense as both Iraqi and US authorities pursue every avenue to return Kittleson safely.