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Iraqi Officials Believe a Powerful Iran-Backed Militia Is Behind a US Journalist's Abduction
Iraqi officials say at least one suspect has been detained as search teams work to locate the journalist and secure her release.
- American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson was abducted in Baghdad on March 31 when unidentified men forced her into a vehicle on Saadoun Street and drove southwest of the city.
- Iraqi and U.S. officials believe the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia kidnapped Kittleson, likely to halt U.S. airstrikes in Jurf al-Sakhar, where she is held 40 miles south of Baghdad.
- Abbas al-Jubouri, head of the Al-Rafid Center for Strategic and Media Studies, stated the abduction was likely "premeditated rather than random," despite State Department warnings about regional security risks.
- Militia leaders have gone underground, complicating negotiation efforts; Iraqi authorities are willing to release six detained Kataib members to help secure the journalist's freedom.
- Journalist advocacy groups have urged the U.S. government to designate Kittleson a "wrongful detainee," while the FBI and State Department coordinate efforts to secure her release amid sensitive diplomatic operations.
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67 Articles
Iraqi militia supported by Iran had kidnapped her on March 31 in Baghdad
·Italy
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Iraqi officials believe a powerful Iran-backed militia is behind a U.S. journalist's abduction
U.S. officials had previously alleged the group was responsible for abducting freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson from a Baghdad street corner on March 31. The Iraqi government has not publicly named the group responsible, and the militia has not claimed the kidnapping.
·Los Angeles, United States
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The Toronto Star+48 Reposted by 48 other sources
Iraqi officials believe a powerful Iran-backed militia is behind a US journalist’s abduction
Iraqi officials said local authorities believed the powerful Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia was responsible for the kidnapping of freelance U.S. journalist Shelly Kittleson.
·Toronto, Canada
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Total News Sources67
Leaning Left20Leaning Right2Center36Last UpdatedBias Distribution62% Center
Bias Distribution
- 62% of the sources are Center
62% Center
L 35%
C 62%
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