US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that kidnapped American journalist Shelly Kittleson has been released by a pro-Iran militia in Iraq. Kittleson was received by the Iraqi government, which is processing her travel arrangements, a senior Iraqi government official told CNN. Kittleson, who specializes in Middle East reporting, had been taken captive by Kataib Hezbollah, a pro-Iran militia in Iraq, last month. “We are relieved that this American is now free and are working to support her safe departure from Iraq,” Rubio wrote. The US government was tracking the kidnapping and working with the Iraqis to secure her release, a US official said.

Source: CNN April 07, 2026 21:43 UTC