American journalist is freed a week after being abducted in Iraq

by · Mail Online

The American journalist who was kidnapped in Iraq last week has been released. 

Iraqi officials said Shelly Kittleson, 49, had been returned on Tuesday following her abduction from a Baghdad street corner.

She was in Baghdad to cover the impact of the US-Israeli war on Iran. 

Officials of the Iran-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah told KSTP that Kittleson was instructed to 'leave the country immediately' upon her release.

Kittleson is based in Rome, Italy and has been traveling the Middle East for freelance journalism for more than a decade, particularly in Iraq and Syria.

Two anonymous Iraqi security officials said that in exchange for Kittleson's freedom, at least six members of Kataib Hezbollah who Iraqi officials had detained were released. 

Iraqi authorities reportedly detained the members due to their involvement in attacks on the US base in Syria. 

In a statement, Kataib Hezbollah said the decision came 'in appreciation of the patriotic stances of the outgoing' Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. 

Shelly Kittleson, 49, was released a week after being abducted by Khatib Hezbollah in Iraq
Kittleson was reportedly abducted from a street corner in Baghdad on March 31. Two vehicles were involved in her abduction

'This initiative will not be repeated in the future,' they added. 'We are in a state of war waged by the Zionist-American enemy against Islam, and in such situations, many considerations are disregarded.'

Kittleson was reportedly free by the afternoon but her whereabouts have not been revealed. She was previously held in Baghdad. 

Secretary of State Marco Rubio officially announced Kittleson's release on X on Tuesday evening. 

'I am pleased to announce the release of American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was recently kidnapped by members of the foreign terrorist organization Kata’ib Hizballah near Baghdad, Iraq,' he wrote. 

'The U.S. Department of State extends its appreciation to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of War, U.S. personnel across multiple agencies, and the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council and our Iraqi partners, for their assistance in securing her release. 

'This resolution reflects the Trump Administration's steadfast commitment to the safety and security of American citizens, no matter where they are in the world. Under President Trump, the wrongful detention or kidnapping of U.S. nationals will not be tolerated. 

'We will continue to use every tool to bring Americans home and to hold accountable those responsible. We are relieved that this American is now free and are working to support her safe departure from Iraq.'

Kittleson has been a freelance journalist in the Middle East for more than a decade. She primarily reported in Iraq and Syria
Kataib Hezbollah was allegedly responsible for missile strikes on the US Embassy in Baghdad

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Female US journalist is kidnapped 'by Iran-backed Hezbollah group' in Baghdad while covering war

On Tuesday, Kataib Hezbollah uploaded a video of Kittleson, reported the New York Times. 

Kataib Hezbollah officials released the video to illustrate 'the role of [Kittleson] and her activities in Iraq.'

In the heavily edited footage, Kittleson said she gave information about Iraqi militias to an American diplomat. 

'I collected information, but it wasn't enough and they asked me for more,' she said.

Experts in international law told the Times that the video was likely made under duress and statements within it could be coerced. 

The US State Department reportedly warned Kittleson against entering Iraq, given reported threats against the journalist and her safety. 

Kataib Hezbollah released a video of Kittleson shortly before her releasing in which the journalist 'confesses' to giving information to US diplomats

She was allegedly abducted by a group of unidentified men near her hotel in the Iraqi capital on March 31. 

Kittleson was snatched by armed men near the Palestine Hotel on Al-Saadoun Street in central Baghdad.

Two cars were involved in her kidnapping, officials said. One crashed southwest of Baghdad while being pursued. Kittleson was loaded into a second car and rushed away. 

Kataib Hezbollah, a powerful Shiite group based in Iraq, is a separate group from the Hezbollah movement, an Iran-backed group in Lebanon.

But both groups are closely linked to Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, and are listed by the US government as terrorist organizations.

Kataib Hezbollah has frequently launched rocket and drone attacks against US targets in the war against Iran, including missile strikes on the US Embassy in Baghdad. 

The group had not previously stated that they were responsible for Kittleson's abduction. 

The US State Department said it warned Kittleson against entering Iraq due to threats against her

Some anonymous officials said negotiations regarding Kittleson's release had been difficult. 

'The primary challenge is that the leaders of the Kataib militia — specifically, the commanders of the battalions — are nowhere to be found,' they said. 'No one knows their whereabouts, and the process of establishing contact with them is extremely complex.'

Members of the Popular Mobilization Forces were assigned to secure Kittleson's release along with the FBI and the US State Department.

Kittleson's release came hours after President Donald Trump made threats to Iran if officials failed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 8pm on April 7. 

'A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,' he wrote on Truth Social. 'I don't want that to happen, but it probably will.' 

He has since announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran.

The Daily Mail contacted the US State Department, the US Embassy in Baghdad and the FBI for more information.