An American journalist has reportedly been kidnapped in central Baghdad.
American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped by armed men in Baghdad on Tuesday.
Iraq’s Interior Ministry confirmed the kidnapping.
Video shows a group of armed men surrounding a vehicle, opening the doors of the car, and driving off.
WATCH:
Shelly Kittleson was reportedly kidnapped by Iranian-backed militias.
Per Al Jazeera:
“Security forces said they managed to arrest one of the suspects and seize one of the vehicles used in the kidnapping.”
“The Ministry of Interior announces that this evening, a foreign journalist was kidnapped by unknown individuals. Security forces immediately launched an operation to apprehend the perpetrators, acting on precise intelligence and through intensive field operations, tracking the kidnappers’ movements.”
“The pursuit resulted in the interception of a vehicle belonging to the kidnappers, which overturned as they attempted to flee. Security forces were able to arrest one of the suspects and seize one of the vehicles used in the crime.”
“The Ministry affirms that efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining individuals involved, secure the release of the kidnapped journalist, and take all necessary legal measures against all those involved in this criminal act, in accordance with the law.”
Photos posted to social media show the vehicle belonging to the kidnappers damaged after crashing amid a pursuit.
Shelly Kittleson’s whereabouts are not known at this time.
Iraqi Interior Ministry said American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped by unidentified armed men (Iranian backed militias) in central Baghdad & that during a pursuit the vehicle belonging to the kidnappers was intercepted which overturned as they… https://t.co/cOAwUZn6hq pic.twitter.com/ciUo05iUbF
— Saad Abedine (@SaadAbedine) March 31, 2026
Update: The US State Department released a statement on the kidnapping:
•The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans.
•We are closing tracking these reports.
•Due to privacy and other considerations, we have nothing further to share at this time.
American journalist Shelly Kittleson has been kidnapped in Iraq according to two sources including her designated point of contact @alexplitsas. State Department official provides below comment:
•The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of… https://t.co/2WRJK1ffo0
— Margaret Brennan (@margbrennan) March 31, 2026
Alex Plitsas, Shelly Kittleson’s US point of contact confirmed she has been kidnapped.
“I can confirm that my friend Shelly Kittleson was abducted and may have taken hostage in Baghdad by Khatib Hezbollah. Whereabouts and condition unknown. I am her designated U.S. point of contact. If you have information please provide to law enforcement and send me a DM,” he said.
I can confirm that my friend Shelly Kittleson was abducted and may have taken hostage in Baghdad by Khatib Hezbollah. Whereabouts and condition unknown. I am her designated U.S. point of contact. If you have information please provide to law enforcement and send me a DM.
— Alex Plitsas (@alexplitsas) March 31, 2026
DEVELOPING…
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