ALBAWABA- American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson was abducted on Tuesday by unidentified gunmen in a brazen daytime operation in central Baghdad, Iraqi authorities confirmed.
The kidnapping took place near the Palestine Hotel on Al-Saadoun Street, a busy and densely populated area. Security sources said the assailants intercepted Kittleson’s vehicle, forcibly removed her, and fled the scene. No group has claimed responsibility.
Iraq’s Ministry of Interior confirmed the abduction of a foreign journalist and said specialized units immediately launched an operation based on intelligence and field tracking.
Authorities reported that security forces pursued the suspects and surrounded a vehicle used in the kidnapping. The vehicle overturned during the escape attempt, leading to the arrest of one suspect and the seizure of the car.
Officials said search operations are ongoing to locate Kittleson and apprehend the remaining perpetrators, adding that legal action will be taken against all those involved. Investigations into the circumstances of the abduction remain underway.
Kittleson is a veteran reporter known for extensive field coverage across Iraq, the Middle East, and Afghanistan. Long based in Baghdad, she has reported on Iraqi politics, security dynamics, and regional affairs, contributing to outlets including Al-Monitor, BBC World Service, Foreign Policy, Politico, and Al Majalla.
