An American journalist kidnapped in Baghdad last week is expected to be released by an Iranian-backed militia, according to a statement posted online — but only if she immediately leaves Iraq.
Shelly Kittleson, 49, of Monticello, Wisconsin, is reportedly set to be freed days after her abduction, in a development that signals a potentially rapid resolution to a high-stakes hostage situation that drew concern from U.S. officials and press freedom advocates.
The apparent decision to release her was announced by Abu Mujahid Aasaf, a security official with Hezbollah Brigades, in a message posted to the encrypted messaging platform Telegram.
“Security official Abu Mujahid al-Asaf, in the name of God, the Most High, and in appreciation of the patriotic stances of the outgoing Prime Minister, has decided to release the American defendant, Shelley Kittleson, on the condition that she leaves the country immediately,” Aasaf said in a translation of an Arabic post on Telegram.
“This initiative will not be repeated in the future; we are in a state of war waged by the Zionist-American enemy against Islam, and in such situations, many considerations are disregarded,” the post continued.
The militia also indicated it plans to release additional material related to Kittleson, saying in a follow-up message that it would soon publish a video “illustrating the role of [Kittleson] and her activities in Iraq.”
Kittleson is a veteran journalist who has spent years reporting from Iraq and Syria, covering conflict, militias, and regional power struggles. Her deep experience in the region has made her a respected but also vulnerable figure amid escalating tensions between Iran-backed groups and U.S. interests.
Her kidnapping last week triggered a swift response from Iraqi security forces and coordination with U.S. officials, particularly as concerns mounted that Kataib Hezbollah — one of Iraq’s most powerful Iranian-aligned militias — was behind the abduction.
Alex Plitsas, a nonresident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council and a former Pentagon official, previously confirmed Kittleson as the victim and said he is her designated U.S. point of contact. (RELATED: American Journalist Kidnapped In Iraq)
“She’s the sweetest person in the world and she doesn’t have a mean bone in her body,” Plitsas said in a text to The Hill, adding she has worked in Iraq for years and also reported from Syria.
He also appealed for information in a post on X: “I can confirm that my friend Shelly Kittleson was abducted and may have taken hostage in Baghdad by Khatib Hezbollah,” he wrote. “Whereabouts and condition unknown. I am her designated U.S. point of contact. If you have information please provide to law enforcement and send me a DM.”
Kataib Hezbollah, widely believed to be behind the kidnapping, is closely aligned with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and has long targeted U.S. forces and interests in Iraq. The group has previously been linked to the detention of foreign nationals and operates as part of a broader network of militias that wield significant power inside the country.
The reported agreement to release Kittleson comes at a volatile moment in the region, as tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran continue to escalate, raising fears that Americans in Iraq — including journalists — could be targeted.
It remains unclear when Kittleson will be released or what condition she is in. Officials have not independently confirmed the militia’s statement, and the situation remains fluid as developments continue to unfold.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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