US Journalist Shelly Kittleson Kidnapped in Baghdad by Iran-Backed Militia

Apr 1, 2026

American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson, a Rome-based reporter who has covered conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria for outlets including Al-Monitor, was kidnapped in broad daylight near a hotel in central Baghdad on Tuesday evening. US officials had warned Kittleson multiple times about specific threats from Iran-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah, including as recently as Monday night, with sources indicating her name appeared on a list targeting female journalists for kidnapping or killing, though Kittleson reportedly dismissed the warnings as false. Iraqi security forces pursued the abductors, causing one vehicle to overturn, and arrested one suspect with ties to Kataib Hezbollah, while multiple US agencies including the FBI, State Department, and Delta Force coordinate with Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service on her release.

Kidnapping of Shelly Kittleson in Baghdad

▪US freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped in Baghdad, Iraq on Tuesday evening.
▪One of the suspects in Shelly Kittleson's kidnapping is linked to an Iran-backed militia according to Iraqi and US officials.
▪Alex Plitsas, a CNN national security analyst, is Shelly Kittleson's emergency contact.
▪Shelly Kittleson has covered conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.
▪Shelly Kittleson has contributed articles to Al-Monitor, a news outlet.

Prior US government warnings about threats from Iran-backed militias

▪Shelly Kittleson was warned that Shelly Kittleson's name was on a list in Kataib Hezbollah's possession according to Alex Plitsas.
▪Kataib Hezbollah was plotting to kidnap or kill female journalists according to Alex Plitsas.
▪The US State Department previously fulfilled its duty to warn Shelly Kittleson of threats against Shelly Kittleson according to Dylan Johnson.
▪US officials contacted Shelly Kittleson multiple times to warn of threats against Shelly Kittleson, including as late as Monday night.
▪Shelly Kittleson was warned by the US government about a specific threat from Iran-backed paramilitaries according to Alex Plitsas.

Iraqi security response and suspect apprehension

▪Iraqi authorities arrested one suspect in Shelly Kittleson's kidnapping.
▪The Iraqi interior ministry did not identify the suspect arrested in Shelly Kittleson's kidnapping.
▪Iraqi security forces chased Shelly Kittleson's abductors in a pursuit that resulted in one of the kidnappers' cars overturning.
▪An individual with ties to Kataib Hezbollah, an Iranian-aligned militia group, was detained by Iraqi authorities.
▪Iraqi authorities are working at the highest level to release Shelly Kittleson according to an Iraqi official.

Perspective of Alex Plitsas (Shelly Kittleson's emergency contact)

▪Alex Plitsas stated that Shelly Kittleson received warnings about a specific threat from Iran-backed paramilitaries.

Perspective of Iraqi authorities

▪Iraqi authorities are working at the highest level to release Shelly Kittleson according to an Iraqi official.

Perspective of US government agencies

▪The FBI, National Security Council, State Department, Delta Force and Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service are in contact about Shelly Kittleson's abduction.