The U.S. State Department has acknowledged the recent abduction of American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson in Baghdad. They are currently working with Iraqi officials and the FBI to ensure her safe return.
Before the incident, a U.S. official indicated that the department had fulfilled its duty-to-warn obligations about potential threats to Kittleson. Coordination with local authorities is reportedly ongoing.
“We are closely monitoring the situation. Due to privacy concerns and other factors, we have no additional details to provide at this moment,” the department stated in an official announcement.
Kittleson, aged 49, was taken in broad daylight near the Palestine Hotel on Al-Saadoun Street in Baghdad. Reports indicate that armed men stopped her vehicle, forcibly removed her from it, and transferred her to another car.
Iraqi security forces have acted on credible intelligence, pursuing a vehicle that is believed to belong to the kidnappers. During the chase, the vehicle overturned in Babil province, leading to the arrest of one suspect.
However, the other suspects escaped, and as of the latest updates, Kittleson’s condition and location remain unclear. No group has claimed responsibility for her kidnapping.
Video footage of the incident, showing Kittleson’s abduction by armed individuals, has spread widely online.
Response from Authorities
Iraq’s Interior Ministry has confirmed the kidnapping and stated that specialized teams have initiated operations based on intelligence. The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad has issued a travel advisory due to risks associated with Iran-backed militias targeting Americans.
Kittleson’s Background
Shelly Kittleson is an American freelance journalist based in Rome, known for her in-depth reporting from the Middle East and Afghanistan. She has covered significant events in Iraq and Syria, often serving as a correspondent from Baghdad.
Her journalism focuses on security matters, conflict dynamics, and post-conflict recovery. Kittleson has contributed to various international outlets, including Al-Monitor and the BBC World Service, and was awarded Italy’s Premio Caravella for her war-zone reporting in 2017.
In a statement, Al-Monitor expressed deep concern over her kidnapping and called for her immediate and safe release, emphasizing the importance of her reporting.
The authorities continue their search efforts as this situation develops.
