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A US freelance journalist has been abducted in the Iraqi capital, with Iraqi and US officials indicating that one of the suspects detained is linked to an Iran-backed militia.

The journalist, Shelly Kittleson, was kidnapped on 31 March evening, according to US-based outlet Al-Monitor, for which she has contributed.

Iraq’s interior ministry said security forces launched an operation immediately after the abduction, tracking the suspects based on intelligence inputs.

The ministry said a chase led to one of the kidnappers’ vehicles overturning, resulting in the arrest of a suspect, while efforts are ongoing to locate others involved.

Authorities did not identify the suspects, describing them as “unknown individuals”.

Suspected militia link

A US State Department official said the detained individual has links to Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-aligned armed group active in Iraq.

Dylan Johnson confirmed the abduction of an American journalist in a post on X but did not name Kittleson.

He said the US government had previously warned the individual of threats and is coordinating with the FBI to secure her release.

Officials said Kittleson had received multiple warnings from US authorities about potential threats, including shortly before the incident.

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According to US media reports, she had been informed that Iran-backed paramilitary groups may be targeting journalists, particularly women.

Her emergency contact, Alex Plitsas, said she had been warned that her name appeared on a list held by Kataib Hezbollah, though she may have considered the information unreliable.

US agencies, including the FBI and National Security Council, are in contact with Iraqi authorities as part of efforts to secure her release, according to sources cited in media reports.

An Iraqi official told CBS that authorities are working “at the highest level” on the case.

Background and context

Kittleson, who is based in Rome, has reported from conflict zones including Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.

Her abduction comes despite an overall improvement in Iraq’s security situation in recent years, though incidents involving armed groups continue to pose risks.

Al-Monitor said it was “deeply alarmed” by the incident and called for her immediate and safe release.

The investigation is ongoing, with Iraqi authorities continuing efforts to locate the remaining suspects and secure the journalist’s release.

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