ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – American journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped in Baghdad on Tuesday evening, the Iraqi interior ministry and a well-informed source said. 

Speaking anonymously, the source said that Kittleson was kidnapped “near the Baghdad hotel on al-Saadoun street” by a group of unidentified men. One of the kidnappers has been arrested, but her whereabouts remain unknown, according to the source. 

The Iraqi interior ministry confirmed that a “foreign journalist was kidnapped by unknown individuals,” asserting that security forces are pursuing the perpetrators. 

“The pursuit resulted in the interception of a vehicle belonging to the kidnappers, which overturned as they attempted to flee,” the ministry said, confirming that a suspect was arrested. 

Kittleson, an independent journalist who has reported extensively from Iraq and across the Middle East, was in the country to cover the effects of the ongoing US-Israel war against Iran. 

She has featured in several international outlets, including Al Monitor, Foreign Policy, and The National. Her reporting has also included frontline coverage against the Islamic State (ISIS).

Kittleson has also reported on pro-Iran militias in Iraq.

Iraq remains a difficult environment for journalists. Reporters, particularly freelancers, face risks including harassment, detention, and abduction. 

Kidnappings of journalists, activists, and dual nationals have occurred periodically in Iraq, often linked to militia activity. 

In September, Israeli-Russian researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov was released over two years after she was kidnapped by Iraq’s pro-Iran faction Kataib Hezbollah. Her release was publicly welcomed by US President Donald Trump.