Iraqi authorities confirmed Tuesday that an American freelance reporter was abducted in Baghdad, prompting an intensive search operation by security forces to locate her captors.
The victim has been named as Shelly Kittleson, a freelance correspondent, according to one of the publications she writes for.
Iraq’s interior ministry released a statement confirming that a foreign correspondent had been taken, though they did not initially reveal the person’s identity.
Two Iraqi security sources, speaking anonymously due to restrictions on public statements about the case, confirmed the abducted reporter is an American woman.
According to these sources, the abduction involved two vehicles. During the chase by authorities near Al-Haswa in Babil province, located southwest of Baghdad, one vehicle crashed and was captured. However, the reporter had already been moved to a second car that successfully escaped.
The interior ministry stated that law enforcement agencies initiated a comprehensive operation to locate the abductors, “acting on precise intelligence and through intensive field operations” following the interception of a kidnapper’s vehicle that overturned during their escape attempt.
Authorities successfully detained one individual and confiscated one of the cars used in the crime, though additional suspects remain free, according to the official statement.
The security sources revealed that Kittleson was taken from Baghdad’s center, specifically on Saadoun Street. They noted that warnings were distributed to all security checkpoints, which led to the pursuit as the kidnappers traveled southwest toward Babil province.
Al-Monitor, a Middle Eastern news organization, confirmed that Kittleson, who contributes articles to their publication, was the journalist taken Tuesday in Baghdad. The outlet expressed being “deeply alarmed” by her abduction.
“We call for her safe and immediate release,” their statement declared. “We stand by her vital reporting from the region and call for her swift return to continue her important work.”
Kittleson has worked as a regional freelance correspondent for many years, providing extensive coverage from both Syria and Iraq.
A representative from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad refused to provide comment.
The U.S. State Department issued a statement saying, “The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans” and confirmed they are “tracking these reports.”
“Due to privacy and other considerations, we have nothing further to share at this time,” their statement continued.
Whether this kidnapping connects to the current regional conflict remains unclear, though Iranian-supported militias in Iraq have consistently targeted American installations since the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran began.
Following the war’s outbreak, the U.S. embassy has issued warnings about abduction dangers and encouraged American citizens to depart the country.
Iraqi militant groups have also taken foreign nationals captive prior to the current conflict.
Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Princeton University graduate student holding both Israeli and Russian passports, vanished in Baghdad during 2023. Following her release to U.S. officials in September 2025, she revealed that the Iranian-affiliated Iraqi group Kataib Hezbollah had held her captive.
The organization never formally acknowledged responsibility for her kidnapping.
