By Omar Abdulkader, Cara Tabachnick
Updated March 31, 2026 / 8:27 PM EDT — CBS News
Washington — American journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped in Baghdad on Tuesday, according to two sources familiar with the matter and an Iraqi official.
Iraq’s Interior Ministry said a foreign journalist was abducted by “unknown individuals,” without naming the person, and that security forces had arrested one suspect and seized the vehicle used in the abduction.
Alex Plitsas, Kittleson’s designated U.S. point of contact and a CNN national security analyst, confirmed to CBS News that she had been kidnapped. Plitsas said the U.S. government had warned Kittleson about a specific threat from the Iranian‑backed paramilitary group Kata’ib Hezbollah, which allegedly sought to kidnap or kill female journalists. Plitsas said Kittleson was told her name appeared on a list in the group’s possession. A second source said Kittleson had been warned but believed the information might be false. U.S. officials said she received multiple warnings, including as recently as Monday night.
Dylan Johnson, an assistant secretary of state for global public affairs, posted that the suspect detained by Iraqi authorities had ties to Kata’ib Hezbollah. Without naming Kittleson, Johnson wrote that the State Department had “previously fulfilled our duty to warn this individual of threats against them” and that the department would continue coordinating with the FBI to secure a speedy release.
An Iraqi official told CBS News authorities were working “at the highest level” to obtain Kittleson’s release. U.S. agencies and partners involved in consultations about the case include the FBI, the National Security Council, the State Department, Delta Force and the Iraqi Counter‑Terrorism Service.
Kiran Nazish, founder and director of the Coalition for Women in Journalism, said she was in contact with Kittleson on Thursday, before Kittleson left for Baghdad. Nazish said Kittleson planned to stay with a family in Iraq who had reassured her they would keep her safe. Nazish added Kittleson had been advised not to travel but proceeded, citing prior reporting experience in Iraq and Syria. Kittleson, an Italian American, lives in Rome and has spent time in Istanbul.
Al‑Monitor, for which Kittleson freelances, issued a statement calling for her immediate and safe release and praising her reporting from the region. The FBI declined to comment, and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
On March 29, the U.S. Embassy in Iraq warned that Iran and affiliated militias might target American universities in Baghdad and other cities and advised Americans to leave Iraq for their safety.