American journalist Shelly Kittleson has been released in Baghdad after over a week in captivity, following complex negotiations with the Iran-backed Iraqi militia, highlighting ongoing tensions in the region and the group's retaliatory stance.
American journalist Shelly Kittleson has been freed in Baghdad after being held for more than a week following her abduction on 31 March, with US and Iraqi officials both confirming her release. US secretary of state Marco Rubio said Washington was relieved and was helping arrange her safe departure from Iraq, while also thanking Iraqi authorities and American agencies involved in the effort.
The case has put fresh attention on Kataib Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Iraqi militia that US and Iraqi officials had blamed for the kidnapping. In a statement, the group said it was releasing Kittleson in recognition of the stance of outgoing prime minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, but added that she should leave Iraq immediately and warned that such an act "will not be repeated" in future.
The release followed a difficult set of negotiations. Iraqi security sources said the militia’s leadership had largely gone underground, making contact extremely difficult, while officials also said the handover was tied to the possible release of several Kataib Hezbollah detainees held by Iraqi authorities. Earlier accounts from Iraqi officials described the kidnapping as involving two vehicles, one of which crashed during a police chase before the journalist was moved to another car and taken away.
Kittleson, a veteran freelance reporter who has spent years covering conflict in Iraq and Syria, had returned to Iraq shortly before she was seized. US officials said they had warned her about the risks, but she chose to remain. Her case also echoes the disappearance of Elizabeth Tsurkov, who was later handed over to US authorities after being held in Iraq; Tsurkov said she had been kept by Kataib Hezbollah throughout her captivity.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
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