NEW DELHI: American journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped in central Baghdad on Tuesday evening, Iraqi authorities confirmed, prompting an urgent security operation to locate her and apprehend those responsible.
Iraq’s interior ministry initially reported that a foreign journalist had been abducted by “unknown individuals” without revealing her identity. A security source later confirmed the victim as Kittleson. Officials said multiple security units have been deployed and efforts are ongoing to secure her release.
According to authorities, security forces tracked a vehicle believed to have been used in the kidnapping. The car overturned near Musayyib while the suspects attempted to flee, leading to the arrest of one individual. One of the vehicles linked to the abduction has been seized, while a manhunt continues for other suspects.
“The Ministry affirms that efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining individuals involved and secure the release of the kidnapped journalist,” the interior ministry said in a statement.
The US embassy in Baghdad declined to comment on the incident.
While kidnappings were once common in Baghdad, such cases had declined in recent years due to improved security. However, the incident has revived concerns, echoing past cases such as the 2023 abduction of Israeli-Russian academic Elizabeth Tsurkov, who was held for nearly two years before being released.
