US journalist Shelly Kittleson freed after kidnapping in Baghdad

A US freelance journalist, Shelly Kittleson, who was abducted in Baghdad about a week ago, is reportedly set to be released by an Iran-backed militia. The group, Kataib Hezbollah, said the release would come with the condition that she leave Iraq immediately. A security official within the group indicated the decision was taken in recognition of the outgoing prime minister’s national stances. Some major outlets had reported her release, though Iraqi officials emphasized that her final location remained unclear at the time of reporting. The abduction occurred as attacks by Iran and allied Iraqi militias on US-linked targets continued to disrupt the region, underscoring the high-stakes environment for foreign nationals in the country. The incident took place after Iraqi security forces chased suspects in a pursuit that ended with one of the abductors’ vehicles overturning and the arrest of at least one person connected to the case. In a separate post, the security official said the militia would release a recording portraying Kittleson’s “role and activities in Iraq,” without providing further details. US officials had previously warned Kittleson about threats from Iran-backed paramilitary groups, and at the time of her abduction, indicated that her safety depended on ongoing security measures. The reported release comes amid a broader pattern of tension between Iran-aligned groups and US interests in the region, raising the question of whether the journalist will be able to return home or be compelled to depart the country.

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