Kidnapped American journalist released by Iran-backed Iraqi militia
US journalist Shelly Kittleson poses for a picture in Baghdad on March 31, 2026. Kittleson was kidnapped on March 31, in Baghdad by a suspected Iranian-backed Iraqi armed group, the United States said, as regional security deteriorates following the
American journalist Shelly Kittleson has been released after being kidnapped in Iraq last week.
What we know:
An Iran-backed Iraqi militia, Kataib Hezbollah, told the Associated Press they decided to free the journalist in return for members of their group to be released.
An official with the group said Kittleson was released in the afternoon, but did not share her current location.
The backstory:
Kittleson was kidnapped last Tuesday in Baghdad. The Iraqi interior ministry confirmed her kidnapping, detailing two cars involved, one of which crashed while authorities pursued the other.
Dig deeper:
Kittleson is an award-winning Rome-based freelance journalist who has covered news in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.
The Source: This story was written with information provided by the Associated Press and previous stories written by LIveNOW. This story was reported from Orlando.