US EditionUS Journalist Shelly Kittleson Kidnapped in Iraq
Iraqi authorities said one suspect was arrested and a vehicle seized as they pursued the remaining kidnappers in the capital.
- On Tuesday, American freelance journalist Shelley Kittleson was abducted in central Baghdad near the Baghdad Hotel on Saadoun Street, according to the Iraqi Interior Ministry.
- Kittleson, an American citizen based in Rome, has reported extensively from war zones in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria; the Trump administration previously advised against travel to Iraq due to known threats.
- Police sources reported that four men in civilian clothes forcibly removed the journalist, prompting a vehicle pursuit where authorities intercepted a suspect vehicle that overturned during the chase.
- One suspect has been arrested in connection with the abduction, but the journalist's whereabouts remain unknown as security forces continue searching the eastern part of the capital.
- This incident recalls the 2023 abduction of a Princeton University student held by the pro-Iranian militia Kataib Hezbollah for 903 days, as Iraqi authorities continue efforts to secure the journalist's safe release.
305 Articles
305 Articles
Race on to find US journalist Shelly Kittleson kidnapped in Iraq
Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, April 1, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists urges Iraqi authorities to take all necessary measures to secure the release of U.S. journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was abducted in the capital Baghdad on Tuesday. “The abduction of Shelly Kittleson in broad daylight reflects an alarming breach of journalists’ safety in Iraq that highlights the increased risk of reporting from the Middle East,” said CPJ Regional Director Sa…
Who Is Shelly Kittleson? What We Know About the US Reporter Kidnapped in Iraq
An American journalist has been seized in central Baghdad, triggering a high-stakes search operation across the region. Armed men intercepted the veteran war correspondent on a busy street this Tuesday, just hours after she reportedly received specific warnings about her safety. As security forces and international agencies track a series of getaway vehicles, the mystery deepens over the veteran reporter's whereabouts and the groups behind her d…
American Journalist Kidnapped In Baghdad; Suspect Linked To Iran-Backed Militia Arrested
by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent BAGHDAD/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – An American freelance journalist has been kidnapped in Iraq’s capital Baghdad, with authorities confirming the arrest of a suspect linked to an Iran-aligned militia, Iraqi and U.S. officials said. The journalist was identified as Shelly Kittleson, a Rome-based reporter who has contributed to outlets including broadcaster BBC, and online publications…
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