{"id":2585773,"date":"2026-03-31T15:47:58","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T19:47:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/us-journalist-shelly-kittleson-kidnapped-in-baghdad-iraqi-government-confirms\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T15:50:36","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T19:50:36","slug":"us-journalist-shelly-kittleson-kidnapped-in-baghdad-iraqi-government-confirms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/us-journalist-shelly-kittleson-kidnapped-in-baghdad-iraqi-government-confirms\/","title":{"rendered":"US journalist Shelly Kittleson kidnapped in Baghdad, Iraqi government confirms"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fus-journalist-shelly-kittleson-kidnapped-in-baghdad-iraqi-government-confirms%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2585773&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>U.S. journalist Shelly Kittleson, who writes for Al-Monitor, was kidnapped in Baghdad, according to Iraq\u2019s Ministry of Interior. The MOI said it launched an operation to locate her, arrested one suspect, and intercepted the kidnappers\u2019 vehicle during the pursuit. A <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >video circulated online reportedly showing<\/a> the moment she was seized. While no group claimed responsibility immediately, authorities suggested Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Shiite militia within Iraq\u2019s Popular Mobilization Forces, as a likely suspect; the group has a history of clashes with U.S.forces and previously abducted another researcher,Elizabeth Tsurkov. The MOI stressed its commitment to security and bringing the perpetrators to justice and released photos of the damaged vehicle involved.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">US journalist Shelly Kittleson kidnapped in Baghdad, Iraqi government confirms<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2538815\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>U.S. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/journalism\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1588\">journalist<\/a> Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped in Baghdad, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iraq\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"101\">Iraq<\/a>, the country&rsquo;s Ministry of the Interior confirmed.<\/p>\n<p>Kittleson, an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/star-of-new-pro-life-movie-says-pro-choice-screen-actors-guild-attempted-to-crush-their-production\/\" title=\"Star Of New Pro...Life Movie Says Pro...Choice Screen Actors Guild Attempted To Crush Their Production\">award-winning journalist<\/a> with <em>Al-Monitor<\/em>, 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.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4510395\/italy-refused-us-war-planes-access-airbase\/\">Italy refused US <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/italy-refused-us-war-planes-access-to-airbase\/\" title=\"Italy refused US war planes access to airbase\">war planes access<\/a> to airbase, claims &#8216;no frictions&#8217; with White House<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4510322\/kuwaiti-oil-tanker-struck-dubai-port\/\">Kuwaiti oil tanker struck in Dubai port despite Trump warning<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4510392\/russian-oil-tanker-cuba-arrives\/\">Russian oil tanker docks at Cuban port after Trump greenlights entry<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;Security forces immediately launched an operation to apprehend the perpetrators, acting on precise intelligence and through intensive field operations, tracking the kidnappers&rsquo; movements,&rdquo; the MOI statement read. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The Ministry of Interior reiterates its commitment to not permitting any attempt to destabilize security or target foreign guests, and its security forces will remain vigilant and resolute in pursuing lawbreakers and bringing them to justice,&rdquo; the statement continued.<\/p>\n<p>The Iraqi MOI published <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/alrougui\/status\/2039023600104030419?s=20\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/alrougui\/status\/2039023600104030419?s=20\">photos<\/a> of the seized car mentioned, which displayed heavy damage.<\/p>\n<p>A video posted by Iraqi news allegedly <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/FaytuksNetwork\/status\/2039024343435354277?s=20\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/FaytuksNetwork\/status\/2039024343435354277?s=20\">captured<\/a> the moment Kittleson was kidnapped. It showed a group of men grabbing and pushing her into a car at a busy street before taking off.<\/p>\n<p>Though no group was immediately identified, a likely culprit is Kataib Hezbollah, an Iraqi Shiite <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/why-this-average-american-is-voting-for-donald-trump\/\" title=\"Why This Average American Is Voting for Donald ...\">terrorist group<\/a> backed by Iran. The group kidnapped <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/author\/elizabeth-tsurkov\/\">Elizabeth Tsurkov<\/a>, 38, a Russian Israeli researcher, in October 2023. She was released last year after 903 days in captivity.<\/p>\n<p>Kataib Hezbollah is unrelated to the better-known Hezbollah of Lebanon, though both are Shiite militias heavily backed by Iran. Kataib Hezbollah is one of the main groups that make up the Popular Mobilization Forces, a network of Shiite militias integrated into the Iraqi government&rsquo;s security apparatus, despite being designated a terrorist group by the United States.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3836399\/former-hostage-of-iraqi-terrorist-group-thanks-trump-for-liberation-without-anything-given-in-return-to-the-kidnappers\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"3836399\">FORMER HOSTAGE OF IRAQI TERRORIST GROUP THANKS TRUMP FOR LIBERATION, &lsquo;WITHOUT ANYTHING GIVEN IN RETURN TO THE KIDNAPPERS&rsquo;<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Kataib Hezbollah&rsquo;s first leader, Abu Mahdi al Muhandis, was killed by the U.S. in January 2020 in the same drone strike that killed Iranian Quds Force leader Qassem Soleimani.<\/p>\n<p>The group has fired at U.S. forces during Operation Epic Fury and has been likewise targeted in U.S. airstrikes, primarily from A-10 Warthogs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Iraqi MOI confirms Shelly Kittleson abducted in Baghdad<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2653,"featured_media":2585774,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26064471960464.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[56985,17259,53559,76898],"class_list":["post-2585773","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-baghdad","tag-iraq","tag-kidnapping-2","tag-shelly-kittleson"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26064471960464.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2585773","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2653"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2585773"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2585773\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2585777,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2585773\/revisions\/2585777"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2585774"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2585773"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2585773"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2585773"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}