American journalist, Shelly Kittleson. Photograph: X/@shellykittleson
An American journalist was kidnapped Tuesday (March 31, 2026) in Baghdad, and Iraqi safety forces are pursuing her captors, Iraqi officers mentioned.
The journalist was recognized as freelancer Shelly Kittleson by one of many retailers she labored for. The Iraqi Inside Ministry mentioned in an announcement {that a} international journalist had been kidnapped, with out giving extra particulars concerning the individual’s id.
Two Iraqi safety officers, who spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t approved to talk publicly concerning the case, mentioned the kidnapped journalist was a lady with U.S. citizenship.
They mentioned that two automobiles have been concerned within the kidnapping, one in every of which crashed and was apprehended whereas being pursued by authorities close to the city of Al-Haswa in Babil Province southwest of Baghdad, and the journalist was transferred to a second automobile that fled the scene.
The Inside Ministry mentioned that safety forces had launched an operation to trace down the abductors, “appearing on exact intelligence and thru intensive discipline operations” after intercepting a automobile belonging to the abductors that overturned as they tried to flee.
One suspect was arrested and one of many autos used within the kidnapping was seized, however others stay on the free, the assertion mentioned.
The 2 safety sources mentioned the journalist was kidnapped from central Baghdad, on Saadoun Avenue. They added that an alert was circulated to all checkpoints, resulting in a pursuit of the abductors as they headed southwest of Baghdad towards Babil province.
Al-Monitor, a regional information website protecting West Asia, recognized the journalist kidnapped on Tuesday (March 31) in Baghdad as Ms. Kittleson, a freelancer who contributed to the publication. In an announcement, Al-Monitor mentioned it’s “deeply alarmed” by her kidnapping.
“We name for her protected and fast launch,” the assertion mentioned. “We stand by her important reporting from the area and name for her swift return to proceed her vital work.”
Ms. Kittleson has been a very long time freelancer within the area, reporting extensively from Syria and Iraq. A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad declined to remark.
The U.S. State Division mentioned in an announcement, “The Trump Administration has no larger precedence than the protection and safety of Individuals” and that it’s “monitoring these stories.”
“Resulting from privateness and different concerns, we’ve nothing additional to share presently,” the assertion mentioned. It was not instantly clear if the kidnapping was associated to the continued regional battle, however Iran-backed militias in Iraq have launched common assaults on U.S. services within the nation for the reason that starting of the U.S.-Israeli battle on Iran.
For the reason that begin of the battle, the U.S. Embassy has warned of kidnapping dangers and urged residents within the nation to go away. Iraqi militias had additionally kidnapped foreigners earlier than the battle.
Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Princeton graduate scholar with Israeli and Russian citizenship, disappeared in Baghdad in 2023. After she was freed and handed over to U.S. authorities in September 2025, she mentioned that she had been held by the Iran-allied Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah. The group by no means formally claimed accountability for kidnapping her.
Revealed – April 01, 2026 02:20 am IST