An American journalist who was abducted in Iraq has finally regained her freedom after weeks in captivity. The U.S. government confirmed that Shelly Kittleson, a freelance reporter, has been released by the Iran-linked militia, Kataib Hezbollah.
Announcing the development on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, said multiple agencies worked behind the scenes to secure her release. According to him, officials from the Pentagon, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council were involved in efforts that led to her freedom.
Kittleson was kidnapped in late March in Baghdad, sparking concern among international journalists and human rights groups.
“We are relieved that this American is now free and are working to support her safe departure from Iraq,” Rubio said in a statement.
Earlier on Tuesday, Kataib Hezbollah had indicated that it planned to release the journalist but insisted she must leave Iraq immediately after gaining her freedom.
Sources familiar with the negotiations say Kittleson’s release came after increased pressure from the Iraqi government and influential Shi’ite leaders, who reportedly urged the militia group to let her go.
According to Middle East news outlet, Al-Monitor, Kittleson is a U.S. freelance journalist based in Rome who has spent years covering conflicts across the region.
Around the time of the announcement, a video circulating on social media — reportedly shared by a platform linked to Kataib Hezbollah — appeared to show Kittleson speaking directly to the camera in English. However, Reuters said it could not independently verify the authenticity of the footage or confirm when and where it was recorded.
Her release comes amid growing concern over the safety of foreign researchers and journalists working in Iraq. In a similar case, Elizabeth Tsurkov, an Israeli-Russian graduate student at Princeton University, was abducted by Kataib Hezbollah during a research trip in 2023 before eventually being freed in 2025.
While Kittleson’s release has brought relief, the incident once again highlights the risks faced by journalists operating in conflict zones across the Middle East.
