US journalist Shelly Kittleson released by Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq
Two officials confirmed to Al-Monitor that Kittleson had been released.
US journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was abducted in Baghdad on March 31 by an Iran-backed Shiite Iraqi militia, has been freed, two officials confirmed to Al-Monitor.
The officials, who spoke on background, gave no further details about the terms of her release. One of the officials said there were unconfirmed reports that Kittleson was at the Iraqi prime minister's office on Tuesday.
The powerful Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah said in an earlier statement on Telegram on Tuesday that it had decided to release Kittleson "on the condition that she leaves the country immediately.” The group said its decision stemmed from its “appreciation of the patriotic stances” of Iraq’s caretaker prime minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
Neither the US nor the Iraqi government has yet to confirm Kittleson's release.
Alex Plitsas, a friend of Kittleson who is her designated US point of contact, said in a post on X that while he was aware of Kataib Hezbollah's statement, "We have no official confirmation from the United States government that this is true.”
The Washington-based Alhurra news outlet, citing two unnamed Iraqi intelligence sources, reported on Monday that Kittleson had been taken to the Jurf al-Sakhar district in Babil province. The area is a stronghold of Iran-backed Shiite militias and serves as a hub for oil smuggling and other illicit business. It has also been used to mount attacks against US forces in Iraq and hence has been targeted by the US military since the start of the US-Israel-Iran war. Kittleson is thought to have been taken there to serve as a “human shield” to prevent further attacks, Alhurra reported.
Alhurra said Kataib Hezbollah was asking for the release of four of its operatives who are being detained by Iraqi authorities over their alleged involvement in attacks on neighboring Syria.
This developing story has been updated.
