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Shelly Kittleson, an American journalist reporting for Al-Monitor, was kidnapped by Kataib Hezbollah in central Baghdad on Tuesday.
Kittleson was seized by four men in civilian clothes near the Palestine Hotel on Saadoun Street, one of the Iraqi capital's most prominent thoroughfares, according to Akeed Press, an Iraqi news outlet, and police officials who spoke to the Associated Press (AP) on condition of anonymity.
The militia group, which is Iran-backed and U.S.-designated as a foreign terrorist organization, was identified as responsible for the abduction.
Two Iraqi security officials said an alert was sent to all checkpoints after the abduction, triggering a pursuit as the kidnappers headed toward Babil province, southwest of Baghdad. Two cars were involved in the kidnapping, one of which crashed near the town of Al-Haswa while being pursued, the officials said.
Kittleson was transferred to a second vehicle that fled the scene.
Al-Arabiya later claimed that she had been transferred to Babylon province, and an Iraqi security source speaking to them said the driver detained in the kidnapping held an ID for a security institution.
Unconfirmed reports circulating on Iraqi social media subsequently claimed that Iraqi security forces intercepted the kidnappers as they drove toward Jurf al-Sakhar, a town south of Baghdad historically associated with Shia militia activity.
According to those unverified accounts, the abductors' vehicle overturned during a pursuit involving an exchange of fire, and Kittleson was freed at the scene with injuries. She was allegedly transported for medical treatment, though the nature and severity of any wounds could not be confirmed.
Kittleson is a veteran war correspondent with more than a decade of on-the-ground experience in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. Her reporting has appeared in Al-Monitor, Foreign Policy, Politico, the BBC World Service, and a range of other international outlets. She received Italy's Premio Caravella in 2017 for her warzone journalism and has been based in Baghdad as an independent correspondent.
Iraq's Interior Ministry confirmed the kidnapping in an official statement on Tuesday evening, saying security forces had immediately launched an operation to track the abductors using precise intelligence and intensive field work.
During the pursuit, forces surrounded the kidnappers' vehicle, causing it to overturn as the perpetrators attempted to flee. One suspect was arrested, and one of the vehicles used in the crime was seized.
Critically, the ministry's statement indicates that Kittleson had not yet been freed at the time of its release, stating that efforts were continuing to track the remaining suspects and secure her release.
The ministry said legal proceedings would be pursued against all those involved and pledged that investigations were ongoing to fully uncover the circumstances of the incident, with further details to follow.
The ministry added that it would not tolerate any attempt to destabilize security or target foreign guests in Iraq, vowing that its security services would remain vigilant in pursuing those who break the law and bringing them to justice.
Dylan Johnson, U.S. assistant secretary of state for global public affairs, said on X that "an individual with ties to the Iranian-aligned militia group Kataib Hezbollah believed to be involved in the kidnapping has been taken into custody by Iraqi authorities."
Johnson said the State Department "previously fulfilled our 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."
A second U.S. official, speaking to AP on condition of anonymity, said the journalist had been warned multiple times, including as late as Monday night, that she was in danger and should leave Iraq immediately.
Johnson reiterated that Iraq remains at a Level 4 travel advisory and that "Americans are advised not to travel to Iraq for any reason and to leave Iraq now."
The State Department issued a separate statement saying the Trump administration "has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans" and that it is "tracking these reports."
Alex Plitsas, a CNN national security analyst and Atlantic Council member, said on X that he could confirm Kittleson "was abducted and may have been taken hostage in Baghdad by Kataib Hezbollah." Plitsas identified himself as her designated U.S. point of contact.
Al-Monitor, the regional news site covering the Middle East, said it was "deeply alarmed" by the kidnapping. "We call for her safe and immediate release," the outlet said.
"We stand by her vital reporting from the region and call for her swift return to continue her important work," the outlet noted.
Elisa Lees Munoz, president of the International Women's Media Foundation, said the organization was "deeply alarmed" by the kidnapping and expressed concern for Kittleson's wellbeing, noting her "conditions and whereabouts remain unknown."
"She is a legitimate journalist simply doing her job to bring truth to the global public," Munoz said.
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