An American freelance reporter kidnapped in Iraq has been released after days of uncertainty, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.
Shelly Kittleson, 49, was taken on March 31 from a busy street in central Baghdad. Officials in both the U.S. and Iraq had pointed to the Iran-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah as responsible. About a week later, the group announced it would free her, saying she must leave the country immediately.
In a statement, a spokesperson said Kittleson’s release came “in appreciation of the patriotic positions” of Iraq’s prime minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who had been involved in efforts to secure her freedom. The group added, “This initiative will not be repeated in the future,” and warned, “We are in a state of war waged by the Zionist-American enemy against Islam and in such situations, many considerations are disregarded.”
While Iraqi officials confirmed she was released Tuesday afternoon, her exact location was not immediately disclosed. Prior to her release, she had reportedly been held somewhere in Baghdad. U.S. officials have not publicly confirmed details of her status.
Kittleson’s kidnapping appeared to be premeditated. Sources said her name had been included on a list of American journalists targeted by the militia. She had also received repeated warnings from U.S. authorities about threats against her safety—most recently the night before she was abducted.
Details of the abduction point to a coordinated operation. Iraqi officials said two vehicles were involved; one crashed during a pursuit southwest of Baghdad, after which Kittleson was transferred to another car that escaped. During her captivity, the militia released a short video showing her speaking directly to the camera. The footage offered few clues about her location.
Behind the scenes, negotiations were complicated. Iraqi officials struggled to establish contact with militia leaders, who had reportedly gone into hiding. One official described the effort as difficult, saying communication channels were nearly nonexistent. There were also indications that the group sought the release of detained members in exchange for Kittleson’s freedom.
Kittleson is an experienced journalist who has spent years reporting across the Middle East, including in Iraq and Syria. She has contributed to outlets such as Al-Monitor, BBC World Service, and Politico, and earned Italy’s Premio Caravella award in 2017 for her work covering conflict zones. Originally from Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, she has lived abroad for much of her career, including time in Rome and Istanbul.
Colleagues say she was well aware of the risks but remained committed to her reporting. According to journalist Kiran Nazish, Kittleson had been advised not to travel but chose to proceed anyway, continuing the work she had long pursued. She had planned to stay with a local family who reassured her they “would keep her safe.”
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