Iraqi Armed Group Frees Abducted US Journalist Kittleson, Reports Rubio
The Iranian-aligned Iraqi armed group, Kataib Hezbollah, has released U.S. journalist Shelly Kittleson. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced her release on April 7. Kittleson was abducted in late March in Baghdad.
Details of the Release
Officials from various agencies, including the Pentagon and the FBI, played a crucial role in securing her freedom. According to Rubio, efforts are ongoing to ensure her safe departure from Iraq.
- Abducted Journalist: Shelly Kittleson
- Date of Abduction: Late March 2023
- Date of Release: April 7, 2023
- Assisting Agencies: Pentagon, FBI, Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council
Kataib Hezbollah’s Decision
Kataib Hezbollah announced it would release Kittleson and instructed her to leave Iraq immediately. Pressure from the Iraqi government and influential Shi’ite leaders accelerated her release, noted a government official familiar with the circumstances.
About Shelly Kittleson
Kittleson is a freelance journalist based in Rome. She has reported on multiple conflicts in the Middle East and contributed articles to various news outlets.
Video Evidence and Previous Kidnappings
A video purportedly featuring Kittleson was circulated by a social media account linked to Kataib Hezbollah. While the authenticity of the video remains unverified, it could provide the first images of her since her kidnapping. The location and timing of the video have also not been confirmed.
In a related incident, another individual, Elizabeth Tsurkov, was kidnapped by the same militia during a research trip in March 2023. She was released in 2025.
This series of events underlines ongoing security concerns within Iraq and the complexities of foreign media presence in the region.
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