Amid the ongoing tensions in West Asia as the United States and Iran refuse to de-escalate war on ground, another incident unfolded in Iraq as an American journalist was kidnapped in Baghdad on Tuesday.
While Iraq’s interior ministry confirmed that a foreign journalist was kidnapped, it did not give any major details. However, two Iraqi security officials told news agency Associated Press on condition of anonymity that the journalist is a woman and a citizen of the United States.
According to several reports, the journalist was identified by Shelly Kittleson, a freelancer, by one of the outlets she worked for.
Also read: Shelly Kittleson kidnapping: American journalist's last post before abduction surfaces
Who is Shelly Kittleson?
Shelly Kittleson is a journalist who has been freelancing in the West Asia region for a long time, particularly from Syria and Iraq.
According to her bio in Women’s Media Centre, Kittleson is a “freelance journalist focusing mainly on the Middle East and Afghanistan. Her work has been published in several international, US, and Italian media outlets.”
{{/usCountry}}According to her bio in Women’s Media Centre, Kittleson is a “freelance journalist focusing mainly on the Middle East and Afghanistan. Her work has been published in several international, US, and Italian media outlets.”
{{/usCountry}}Among the outlets that she contributed to are Al Majalla, Al-Monitor, ANSA, RAI Radiotre, and more, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Who kidnapped Shelly Kittleson?
Without naming Kittleson, Dylan Johnson, Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs, said that the state department was aware of the “reported kidnapping of an American journalist in Baghdad, Iraq”.
He said that “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.”
Johnson further added that Americans are not advised to be in Iraq and should leave the country immediately as it remains at a Level 4 Travel Advisory.
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Chase led to detention of one kidnapper, but journalist abducted in other vehicle
After the kidnapping, a video of which is in wide circulation on social media, Iraq’s interior ministry said that they intercepted and seized one of the vehicles involved in the kidnapping which overturned as they tried to flee.
However, two cars were involved in the crime, out of which, one was intercepted as it crashed during the chase but the journalist was moved to the other vehicle that managed to flee the scene, the ministry said.
"Security forces were able to arrest one of the suspects and seize one of the vehicles used in the crime…The Ministry affirms that efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining individuals involved, secure the release of the kidnapped journalist," the ministry’s statement said.
Was Shelly Kittleson warned of the kidnapping?
Dylan Johnson hinted that the US state department had previously warned the journalist of the “threats” against her.
“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 release as quickly as possible,” he wrote.
Confirming the same, a US official told Associated Press on condition of anonymity that the journalist was warned multiple times, even as late as Monday night, that she was in danger and should leave Iraq as soon as possible.
(With inputs from agencies)