ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A foreign journalist was abducted in central Baghdad on Tuesday evening, the Iraqi Ministry of Interior announced, with one suspect arrested, as regional tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate.
“A foreign journalist was kidnapped by unidentified individuals," the ministry said in a statement, adding that security forces "managed to arrest one of the suspects and seize one of the vehicles used in the crime."
According to media reports, the journalist is believed to be American freelance reporter Shelly Kittleson, a contributor to Al-Monitor.
"We are deeply alarmed by the kidnapping of Al-Monitor contributor Shelly Kittleson in Iraq on Tuesday," the US-based website said in a statement, calling for her "safe and immediate" release.
CNN national security analyst Alex Plitsas confirmed on X that his friend, Shelly Kittleson, was abducted in Baghdad and might have been "held hostage" by Iraq's pro-Iran Khatib Hezbollah.
🚨🚨🚨 I can confirm that my friend Shelly Kittleson was abducted and may have taken hostage in Baghdad by Khatib Hezbollah. Whereabouts and condition unknown. I am her designated U.S. point of contact. If you have information please provide to law enforcement and send me a DM.