{"id":45308,"date":"2026-03-31T16:51:43","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T20:51:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/us-journalist-taken-in-baghdad-iraqi-security-forces-search-for-suspects\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T16:51:43","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T20:51:43","slug":"us-journalist-taken-in-baghdad-iraqi-security-forces-search-for-suspects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/us-journalist-taken-in-baghdad-iraqi-security-forces-search-for-suspects\/","title":{"rendered":"US Journalist Taken in Baghdad, Iraqi Security Forces Search for Suspects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n

Iraqi security forces are conducting an intensive search operation after freelance American journalist Shelly Kittleson was taken by unknown individuals in central Baghdad on Tuesday, according to Iraqi officials.<\/p>

Kittleson, who writes for Al-Monitor and has covered conflicts across Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, was seized near the Baghdad Hotel on Al-Sa’doun Street, local reports indicate. Iraqi security personnel responded rapidly using what officials characterized as reliable intelligence information to begin tracking her captors.<\/p>

During the search efforts, authorities located a vehicle they believed was connected to the abduction. The car flipped over when those inside tried to escape, leading to the arrest of at least one suspect. However, Kittleson was not in the vehicle and her current location is still undetermined.<\/p>

Different versions of how the abduction occurred have emerged. Some sources report armed men took her in daylight hours, while other accounts describe individuals wearing masks and civilian clothing conducting the operation, leading to questions about potential connections to local armed groups. So far, no organization has taken credit for the incident.<\/p>

A US government representative confirmed American officials are informed about the situation and are working alongside Iraqi authorities in ongoing efforts to bring about her safe return. The incident brings to mind the 2023 abduction of researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov in Baghdad, which underscored the dangers that armed factions present in Iraq’s capital city.<\/p>

Kittleson, who holds American citizenship and lives in Rome, had allegedly received warnings about traveling to Iraq before making this trip.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Freelance American journalist Shelly Kittleson was taken by unknown individuals in central Baghdad on Tuesday, prompting Iraqi authorities to launch an immediate search operation. Security forces tracked down a suspected vehicle that crashed during the pursuit and arrested at least one person, but Kittleson’s location remains unknown. The US government is working with Iraqi officials to secure her release.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":45307,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[832],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-45308","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774990303774.jpg?fit=189%2C54&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbtNqq-bMM","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":45284,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/american-reporter-abducted-in-baghdad-iraqi-forces-launch-manhunt\/","url_meta":{"origin":45308,"position":0},"title":"American Reporter Abducted in Baghdad; Iraqi Forces Launch Manhunt","author":"Admin","date":"March 31, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson was taken from central Baghdad on Tuesday by kidnappers using two vehicles. Iraqi security forces have arrested one suspect and recovered a vehicle, but others remain at large.","rel":"","context":"In "World News"","block_context":{"text":"World News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/world-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774986640756.jpg?fit=1000%2C660&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774986640756.jpg?fit=1000%2C660&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774986640756.jpg?fit=1000%2C660&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774986640756.jpg?fit=1000%2C660&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":45646,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/american-journalist-kidnapped-in-baghdad-despite-multiple-warnings\/","url_meta":{"origin":45308,"position":1},"title":"American Journalist Kidnapped in Baghdad Despite Multiple Warnings","author":"Admin","date":"April 1, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Freelance journalist Shelly Renee Kittleson was abducted from a Baghdad street Tuesday after U.S. officials had repeatedly warned her of specific threats. Iraqi authorities arrested one suspect but the journalist remains missing, with officials believing she's being held somewhere in the Iraqi capital.","rel":"","context":"In "World News"","block_context":{"text":"World News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/world-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775047061831.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775047061831.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775047061831.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775047061831.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":45761,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/freelance-journalist-abducted-in-baghdad-known-for-bold-reporting-style\/","url_meta":{"origin":45308,"position":2},"title":"Freelance Journalist Abducted in Baghdad Known for Bold Reporting Style","author":"Admin","date":"April 1, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson, 49, was kidnapped Wednesday in Baghdad after being forced into a vehicle by two men. The Wisconsin native was known for her fearless reporting style, often traveling alone to dangerous areas across the Middle East on limited budgets.","rel":"","context":"In "World News"","block_context":{"text":"World News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/world-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775061431597.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775061431597.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775061431597.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775061431597.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":48406,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/iraq-officials-iran-backed-militia-behind-american-journalist-kidnapping\/","url_meta":{"origin":45308,"position":3},"title":"Iraq Officials: Iran-Backed Militia Behind American Journalist Kidnapping","author":"Admin","date":"April 7, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Iraqi authorities say they believe the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia kidnapped American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson in Baghdad on March 31. Efforts to negotiate her release have stalled because militia leaders have gone into hiding and communication attempts have failed.","rel":"","context":"In "World News"","block_context":{"text":"World News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/world-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775572649316.jpg?fit=722%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775572649316.jpg?fit=722%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775572649316.jpg?fit=722%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775572649316.jpg?fit=722%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":48734,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/american-reporter-freed-after-kidnapping-by-iraqi-militant-group\/","url_meta":{"origin":45308,"position":4},"title":"American Reporter Freed After Kidnapping by Iraqi Militant Group","author":"Admin","date":"April 7, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Tuesday that U.S. journalist Shelly Kittleson has been freed from captivity in Iraq. Kittleson was recently abducted by Kataib Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed armed group, in the Baghdad area.","rel":"","context":"In "World News"","block_context":{"text":"World News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/world-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775611312709.jpg?fit=450%2C253&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":48549,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/iran-backed-group-announces-release-of-kidnapped-american-journalist-in-iraq\/","url_meta":{"origin":45308,"position":5},"title":"Iran-Backed Group Announces Release of Kidnapped American Journalist in Iraq","author":"Admin","date":"April 7, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"An Iranian-aligned militia group in Iraq says it will free abducted American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was taken captive in Baghdad in late March. The group is demanding she leave Iraq immediately upon her release.","rel":"","context":"In "World News"","block_context":{"text":"World News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/world-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775589761634.jpg?fit=360%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45308","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45308"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45308\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/45307"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45308"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45308"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45308"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}