An American journalist has been kidnapped in Iraq, prompting an urgent search effort by Iraqi security forces and coordination with U.S. officials, according to statements released Tuesday.
The journalist, identified as Shelly Kittleson, a U.S. citizen, was confirmed as the victim by an American point of contact and her former employer, the Middle East-focused news outlet Al-Monitor reports. Kittleson is a veteran reporter who has spent years covering conflict and political developments in Iraq and Syria, making her a well-known figure among regional correspondents.
Al-Monitor said in a statement that the organization is “deeply alarmed” by her kidnapping and called for her safe and immediate release. “We stand by her vital reporting from the region and call for her swift return to continue her important work,” it said.
U.S. officials have acknowledged the situation but have released limited details publicly. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a U.S. official told Al-Monitor the State Department is aware of Kittleson’s kidnapping and working with the Iraqi government to secure her release.
Dylan Johnson, Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs, did not identify Kittleson by name and used gender-neutral pronouns in a post on X, noting that the State Department had previously warned the individual about security threats in Iraq. He added that U.S. authorities are coordinating with the FBI and Iraqi officials to ensure “their” release.
Johnson also said Iraqi authorities had detained an individual believed to be connected to the Iranian-aligned militia Kataib Hezbollah, which is suspected of involvement in the abduction.
“Iraq remains at a Level 4 Travel Advisory and Americans are advised not to travel to Iraq for any reason and to leave Iraq now,” Johnson wrote on X.
“The State Department strongly advise all Americans, including members of the press, to adhere to all travel advisories.”
Iraq’s Interior Ministry confirmed that a female journalist was kidnapped Tuesday evening in Baghdad. Security forces pursued the kidnappers, intercepting one of their vehicles, which overturned during an attempted escape. Authorities arrested one suspect and seized a vehicle used in the operation.
“The Ministry affirms that efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining individuals involved, secure the release of the kidnapped journalist, and take all necessary legal measures against all those involved in this criminal act, in accordance with the law,” the ministry said in a statement.
Alex Plitsas, a nonresident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council and a former Pentagon official, publicly identified Kittleson as the victim and said he is her designated U.S. point of contact.
“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, the militia suspected in the kidnapping, is one of the most powerful Iranian-backed armed groups operating in Iraq. It is closely aligned with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and has long opposed the U.S. military presence in the country. The group has been linked to attacks on U.S. forces and has a history of detaining foreign nationals.
The danger posed by such groups is underscored by past incidents. Kataib Hezbollah previously held Israeli-Russian academic Elizabeth Tsurkov hostage for more than two years before she was freed through U.S. intervention. Tsurkov later detailed severe abuse during her captivity, including torture and sexual assault, in interviews and in an article published by The Atlantic.
Kittleson’s abduction comes at a particularly volatile moment in the region. The ongoing U.S. and Israeli conflict with Iran has heightened tensions across the Middle East, with Iranian-backed militias in Iraq increasingly active. These groups have carried out attacks on U.S. personnel and infrastructure, raising concerns about the safety of Americans in the country, including journalists.
As Iraqi and U.S. authorities intensify efforts to locate Kittleson, officials have not disclosed her current condition or whereabouts.
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