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 one of the kidnappers' cars overturning and the arrest of one suspect.
A US state department official confirmed that an individual with ties to an 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 stated the State Department had previously warned her of threats against her.
US officials had made contact with Kittleson multiple times to warn of risks, including as late as Monday night. The State Department indicated it is aware of Kittleson's kidnapping and is working with the Iraqi government to secure her release.
Al-Monitor expressed alarm over her kidnapping and called for her safe and immediate release. Local authorities are reportedly working "at the highest level" for her return.
Kittleson, who is based in Rome, Italy, has covered conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. The FBI, National Security Council, state department, Delta Force, and the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service are in contact regarding her abduction. While Baghdad was once infamous for kidnappings, such incidents have seen a decline with improved security in recent years.
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 one of the kidnappers' cars overturning and the arrest of one suspect.
A US state department official confirmed that an individual with ties to an 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 stated the State Department had previously warned her of threats against her.
US officials had made contact with Kittleson multiple times to warn of risks, including as late as Monday night. The State Department indicated it is aware of Kittleson's kidnapping and is working with the Iraqi government to secure her release.
Al-Monitor expressed alarm over her kidnapping and called for her safe and immediate release. Local authorities are reportedly working "at the highest level" for her return.
Kittleson, who is based in Rome, Italy, has covered conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. The FBI, National Security Council, state department, Delta Force, and the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service are in contact regarding her abduction. While Baghdad was once infamous for kidnappings, such incidents have seen a decline with improved security in recent years.
