Iraqi officials have confirmed the abduction of a journalist by an armed group, with footage capturing the moment of her kidnapping. The Iraqi interior ministry stated that a female “foreign journalist was taken by unknown individuals” in Baghdad on Tuesday evening. The journalist, identified as Shelly Kittleson by Al-Monitor, is a US freelance reporter known for her work in the Middle East and Afghanistan.
Security forces are actively pursuing the perpetrators after intercepting a vehicle linked to the kidnappers, resulting in the arrest of one suspect. The ministry assured ongoing efforts to locate the remaining individuals and secure the journalist’s release. Video footage released by Al Arabiya depicts the journalist being forced into a car by two men before speeding away from the scene.
The incident took place near the Palestine Hotel in central Baghdad, with the pursuit of the kidnappers heading towards Babil province. The interior ministry emphasized its commitment to apprehend all involved in the abduction and ensure the safety of the journalist. Investigations are ongoing to uncover the full details of the incident.
This event follows the kidnapping of Elizabeth Tsurkov, an Israeli-Russian graduate student, by an Iran-aligned Shia militia group during her research trip to Iraq in March 2023. She was eventually freed in September 2025 after extensive efforts by Iraqi security services.
