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.
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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.
The US State Department has not yet released a statement on the kidnapping.
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
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