An American journalist was abducted in Baghdad on Tuesday, prompting Iraqi security forces to launch an operation to locate her and capture those responsible, officials said.
The journalist was identified as freelance reporter Shelly Kittleson by one of the media outlets she has contributed to. Iraqi authorities confirmed that a foreign journalist had been kidnapped but did not initially disclose her identity.
A US official alleged that the Iran-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah was behind the abduction. However, Iraqi officials have not publicly confirmed any group’s involvement.
According to two Iraqi security officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the victim is a US citizen and was taken from central Baghdad’s Saadoun Street. They said the kidnappers used two vehicles during the operation. One of the cars crashed while being chased near Al-Haswa in Babil province, southwest of Baghdad, after which the journalist was moved into another vehicle that escaped.
The interior ministry said security forces had begun a manhunt and intercepted one of the vehicles used in the kidnapping, which overturned during the pursuit. One suspect has been arrested and a vehicle seized, though other suspects remain at large.
Authorities also issued alerts at checkpoints across the area, aiding the pursuit as the abductors attempted to flee toward Babil province.
Middle East-focused news outlet Al-Monitor expressed deep concern over the incident, confirming Kittleson’s identity and calling for her immediate and safe release. The publication highlighted her extensive reporting work in Iraq and Syria.
Kittleson has long worked as a freelancer in the region, covering developments in conflict zones.
The US Embassy in Baghdad declined to comment on the case. The US State Department said the administration of Donald Trump is closely monitoring the situation, stressing that the safety of American citizens remains a top priority.
Dylan Johnson, assistant secretary of state for public affairs, said on social media that the department had previously warned the journalist about potential threats. He added that an individual believed to have links to Kataib Hezbollah had been detained by Iraqi authorities.
Another US official, also speaking anonymously, said the journalist had received repeated warnings — including as recently as Monday night — advising her to leave Iraq due to security risks.
Iran-backed militias in Iraq have frequently targeted US-linked facilities, particularly since the start of the recent US-Israeli conflict with Iran on Feb. 28. During this period, the US Embassy has repeatedly warned of increased kidnapping threats and urged American citizens to leave the country.
Foreign nationals have been abducted in Iraq before. In a previous case, Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Princeton University student with Israeli and Russian citizenship, went missing in Baghdad in 2023. After her release in September 2025, she said she had been held by Kataib Hezbollah, although the group never officially claimed responsibility.