Footage has emerged showing the abduction of US journalist Shelly Kittleson in central Baghdad on March 31.
The incident occurred on Saadoun Street, where two vehicles intercepted her. Perpetrators forced her into one car and sped off. A second vehicle crashed during a checkpoint chase near al-Haswa.
Iraqi officials confirmed the involvement of two cars and said one suspect is now in custody. Security forces launched operations based on intelligence to recover Kittleson and track the remaining kidnappers.
Kittleson, an experienced Middle East correspondent contributing to Politico, Foreign Policy, and BBC World Service, had entered Iraq on a transit visa after being denied entry earlier due to lack of press credentials.
The US State Department acknowledged awareness of the case but declined further comment citing privacy concerns. Assistant Secretary Dylan Johnson noted prior warnings issued to Kittleson and affirmed coordination with the FBI for her safe return.
Johnson also attributed the attack to Iranian-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah and reiterated that Iraq remains under a Level 4 travel advisory.
