Independent American journalist Shelly Kittleson was reportedly abducted in Baghdad yesterday, and she may have been captured by the Iran-backed terror cell Hezbollah.
That last report comes from CNN National Security Analyst Alex Plitsas, who confirmed that Kittleson was abducted.
🚨🚨🚨 I can confirm that my friend Shelly Kittleson was abducted and may have taken hostage in Baghdad by Khatib Hezbollah. Whereabouts and condition unknown. I am her designated U.S. point of contact. If you have information please provide to law enforcement and send me a DM.
— Alex Plitsas 🇺🇸 (@alexplitsas) March 31, 2026
The Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs, Dylan Johnson, also said it's likely Hezbollah was behind the abduction.
The U.S. Department of State is aware of the reported kidnapping of an American journalist in Baghdad, Iraq.
— Dylan Johnson (@ASDylanJohnson) March 31, 2026
The State Department previously fulfilled our duty to warn this individual of threats against them and we will continue to coordinate with the FBI to ensure their…
"An individual with ties to the Iranian-aligned militia group Kataib Hizballah believed to be involved in the kidnapping has been taken into custody by Iraqi authorities. Iraq remains at a Level 4 Travel Advisory and Americans are advised not to travel to Iraq for any reason and to leave Iraq now," Johnson wrote on X.
Iraqi officials also confirmed the abduction, and a video reportedly shows Kittleson being ripped out of a vehicle by armed men.
BREAKING: American Journalist Shelly Kittleson was KIDNAPPED in Baghdad, Iraq, after being ripped out of her car by unidentified armed men.
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 31, 2026
Iraqi officials confirm the abduction and claim they are investigating.pic.twitter.com/u53wSF0zfu
American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped in Iraq, according to government and media sources.
Al-Monitor, a publication Kittleson works for, confirmed her abduction and called for her "safe and immediate" release.
Reports said that the U.S. government is tracking developments.
As of early Wednesday local time, it remains unclear who is responsible for the abduction, though in a social media post, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Dylan Johnson said Kittleson was likely kidnapped by Iranian proxy group Katib Hezbollah. Johnson said the State Department warned Kittleson of the risks she faced through her reporting.
Kittleson has lived in the region for almost 20 years, according to Plitsas
Shelly is one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet
— Alex Plitsas 🇺🇸 (@alexplitsas) March 31, 2026
She is religious and doesn’t have a mean bone in her body
She is a journalist who has lived and worked in the region & Central Asia for nearly 2 decades
She’s been thoroughly vetted in Iraq and the PMF knows she’s a civilian https://t.co/gM4t29WTd8
"She is religious and doesn't have a mean bone in her body," Plitsas wrote on X. "She's been thoroughly vetted in Iraq and the PMF know she's a civilian."
The Iraqi Interior Ministry also released a statement.
The Iraqi government confirms that a foreign journalist was kidnapped in Iraq, and details pursuit of the attackers. Identity and nationality of the journalist is not mentioned. H/t CBS's Omar Omar pic.twitter.com/9rMQxvbjv9
— Margaret Brennan (@margbrennan) March 31, 2026
"The Ministry of Interior announces that, this evening, a foreign journalist was subjected to a kidnapping incident by unknown individuals. Immediately, the relevant security forces began their duties to pursue the perpetrators, based on intelligence information, intensive field efforts, and tracking the kidnappers' movements," the statement read.
"Investigations are still underway to fully uncover the circumstances of the incident, and further details will be provided later."