On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in the evening, American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson was abducted in central Baghdad by a group of unidentified individuals. Shortly after the incident, Iraqi authorities confirmed the abduction and launched an urgent security operation to locate her and apprehend those responsible. The Iraqi Interior Ministry initially stated that a foreign journalist had been kidnapped but did not disclose her identity.

In a social media post, the ministry said that a foreign journalist was kidnapped by unknown individuals and that specialized security forces were immediately deployed to pursue the perpetrators. Later, security sources identified the victim as Kittleson, an award-winning journalist from the United States known for her reporting in conflict zones.

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According to officials, Iraqi security forces acted swiftly based on intelligence inputs and pursued a vehicle believed to be involved in the kidnapping. During the chase, one of the suspect vehicles overturned near Musayyib, leading to the arrest of one individual. Authorities also seized a vehicle linked to the incident. Officials added that efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining perpetrators and secure Kittleson’s safe release.

US official Dylan Johnson, Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs, also posted on X, stating: “The U.S. Department of State is aware of the reported kidnapping of an American journalist in Baghdad, Iraq. The State Department previously fulfilled its duty to warn this individual of threats against them, and we will continue to coordinate with the FBI to ensure their release as quickly as possible.”

He further stated that an individual with alleged ties to the Iranian-aligned militia group Kataib Hezbollah may be involved in the kidnapping and has been taken into custody by Iraqi authorities. He also reiterated, “Iraq remains at a Level 4 Travel Advisory, and Americans are advised not to travel to Iraq for any reason and to leave Iraq immediately.” The State Department strongly advised all Americans to adhere to travel advisories.

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A video allegedly linked to the kidnapping has gone viral on social media and was aired by the Al Arabiya channel. The clip shows armed men intercepting Kittleson’s vehicle on a busy road, forcing her into a car, and fleeing the scene. However, the authenticity of the footage has not been independently verified.

The incident has once again highlighted the risks faced by journalists operating in conflict zones. Although kidnappings in Baghdad had declined in recent years due to improved security conditions, this case echoes past incidents, including the 2023 abduction of Israeli-Russian academic Elizabeth Tsurkov, who was held for nearly two years before being released in 2025.

[VP]

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