Kataib Hezbollah (KH), the Iraqi Shiite paramilitary group allied with Tehran that is suspected of kidnapping American journalist Shelly Kittleson in Baghdad on Tuesday, has contacted the Iraqi government offering to negotiate for her release, the New York Times has reported, citing Iraqi security officials. The group has demanded the release of several detained militia members in exchange for Kittleson's freedom, according to the report. "We are extremely concerned about the safety and whereabouts of US journalist Shelly Kittleson who was kidnapped in Baghdad, Iraq," the US branch of the human-rights NGO said via X. "We urge Iraqi and U.S. authorities to urgently bring about her immediate release, and hold those responsible to account. A freelance journalist, Kittleson also works for Al-Monitor and has contributed to outlets such as BBC World, Politico, and Foreign Policy.

Source: International New York Times April 02, 2026 16:59 UTC