US journalist Shelly Kittleson kidnapped in Baghdad, Iraqi government confirms

U.S. journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped in Baghdad, Iraq, the country’s Ministry of the Interior confirmed.

Kittleson, an award-winning journalist with Al-Monitor, was reporting on regional developments in Baghdad at the time of her kidnapping. No group immediately claimed responsibility. The Iraqi MOI announced it was carrying out an operation to find and retrieve her, and had arrested one person in connection with the kidnapping.

“Security forces immediately launched an operation to apprehend the perpetrators, acting on precise intelligence and through intensive field operations, tracking the kidnappers’ movements,” the MOI statement read. “The pursuit resulted in the interception of a vehicle belonging to the kidnappers, which overturned as they attempted to escape. Security forces were able to arrest one of the suspects and seize one of the vehicles used in the crime.”

“The Ministry of Interior reiterates its commitment to not permitting any attempt to destabilize security or target foreign guests,