The Abduction
Shelly Kittleson was forced into a vehicle near a hotel in central Baghdad on Tuesday evening, surveillance video verified by NBC News shows. The Iraqi Interior Ministry said security forces chased the kidnappers' car until it overturned, leading to the arrest of one suspect. The ministry's statement said security forces "immediately launched an operation to apprehend the perpetrators, acting on precise intelligence and through intensive field operations."
The Warning She Dismissed
The U.S. government warned Kittleson multiple times about threats from Kataib Hezbollah, including as recently as Monday night, according to Alex Plitsas, her designated emergency contact and a CNN national security analyst. Plitsas said U.S. officials told Kittleson that Kataib Hezbollah had her name on a list of female journalists they planned to kidnap or kill. Kittleson had been advised not to travel, but a second source confirmed she thought the warnings were likely false information.
The Iran Connection
Dylan Johnson, assistant secretary of state for global public affairs, posted on X that the suspect in Iraqi custody has ties to Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia group. The kidnapping occurred amid heightened tensions: the U.S. Embassy in Iraq had warned on March 29 that Iran and its allied terrorist militias may target American universities and citizens in Baghdad and other cities. The embassy currently lists Iraq at Level 4, advising Americans to leave immediately.
Her Decision to Travel
Kiran Nazish, founder of the Coalition for Women in Journalism, said she spoke with Kittleson last Thursday before her trip. An Iraqi family had invited Kittleson to stay with them and assured her they "would keep her safe," Nazish said. The freelance reporter for Al-Monitor had covered conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria for more than a decade.
The Rescue Effort
The FBI, National Security Council, State Department, Delta Force and Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service are coordinating on Kittleson's case, sources told CBS News. An Iraqi official said authorities are working "at the highest level" to secure her release. Iraqi security forces continue tracking the remaining kidnappers, with the Interior Ministry stating efforts are "ongoing to track down the remaining perpetrators and secure the release of the abducted woman."
Previous Kidnapping
Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Russian-Israeli Princeton graduate student, was held captive by Kataib Hezbollah for more than two years before her release last September.
The sources also report that Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Princeton graduate student held by Kataib Hezbollah, was tortured during her captivity according to a post by former President Trump.
What Happens Next
Al-Monitor released a statement calling for Kittleson's "safe and immediate release," saying "we stand by her vital reporting from the region and call for her swift return to continue her important work." The State Department confirmed it is working with the Iraqi government to secure her release but declined further comment, citing privacy considerations.
For example, the U.S. Embassy in Iraq had warned on March 29 that Iran and its aligned terrorist militias may target American universities and citizens in Baghdad and other cities.