Summary
American journalist Shelly Kittleson has been released in Baghdad after being kidnapped by an Iran-backed militia called Kataib Hezbollah. The group decided to free her in response to a gesture from the outgoing Iraqi prime minister, but with the condition that she must leave Iraq immediately.
Key Facts
- Shelly Kittleson, a 49-year-old American freelance journalist, was kidnapped in Baghdad last week.
- Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia, was responsible for her abduction and later released her, requiring her to leave Iraq.
- Kittleson's release was partly due to respect for the outgoing Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
- The U.S. State Department did not comment on the situation immediately.
- The militia had not previously admitted their involvement in the abduction, though U.S. and Iraqi officials suspected them.
- Iraqi authorities pursued negotiations for her release and offered to release detained Kataib Hezbollah members as part of the deal.
- Kittleson lived abroad for years and reported from the Middle East, including Iraq and Syria.
- U.S. officials had warned Kittleson of threats against her prior to the kidnapping.
