American journalist Shelly Kittleson has been freed after militants from the Iranian-backed Kata’ib Hezbollah abducted her in Baghdad on March 31, U.S. and Iraqi sources told CBS News. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed her release and said the U.S. is working to support her safe departure from Iraq.
Iraqi government sources and a source familiar with the situation told CBS News that Kata’ib Hezbollah had Kittleson’s name on a list of American journalists to target. A militia spokesperson posted on the group’s Telegram channel that she would be released on the condition she leave Iraq immediately; her exact whereabouts were not immediately clear.
Two militia officials told The Associated Press that Iraqi authorities would free several detained Kata’ib Hezbollah members in exchange for Kittleson’s release. Earlier the group released an undated video of Kittleson, about two and a half minutes long, showing her wearing a pink sweater and green blazer.
Rubio thanked the FBI, Department of Defense, U.S. personnel across multiple agencies, the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council and Iraqi partners for assistance. FBI Director Kash Patel said the agency was “thrilled” and credited the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, the State Department and Defense Department, calling it a team effort reflecting a commitment to leaving no American behind.
U.S. officials had warned Kittleson about a specific threat from Kata’ib Hezbollah, including as recently as the night before she was abducted, a U.S. official told CBS News. Alex Plitsas, Kittleson’s U.S. point of contact and a CNN national security analyst, had said the U.S. government warned her of the danger.
Journalist Kiran Nazish, founder of the Coalition for Women in Journalism, said Kittleson traveled to Iraq to stay with a family who reassured her they would keep her safe. Nazish said Kittleson had been advised not to travel but had prior experience reporting in Iraq and Syria; Kittleson lives in Rome and has spent time in Istanbul.
The Associated Press, Cara Tabachnick, Pat Milton, Omar Abdulkader and Margaret Brennan contributed to this report.