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3. American Journalist Abducted in Baghdad as Iraqi Forces Launch Search Operation

An American freelance journalist, Shelley Kittleson, was abducted by unidentified individuals in Baghdad on Tuesday, according to Iraq’s Interior Ministry, prompting an urgent security operation to locate her and apprehend those responsible.

The ministry said authorities acted swiftly on what it described as “precise intelligence,” launching a manhunt shortly after the incident. Security forces reportedly intercepted a vehicle believed to be linked to the kidnappers, which overturned as the suspects attempted to flee. However, Kittleson was not found inside the vehicle.

Local media reports indicate that the abduction took place near the Baghdad Hotel on Saadoun Street, a central area of the Iraqi capital.

The incident has drawn comparisons to the 2023 kidnapping of Elizabeth Tsurkov, who was abducted from a Baghdad café and later held for 903 days by the Iran-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah before being released under a deal brokered by the United States.

Kittleson, an experienced war correspondent currently based in Rome, has reported extensively from conflict zones including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria. Known for her independent reporting, she has contributed to several international outlets, including Al-Monitor.

Sources from the Trump administration told Al-Monitor they were aware of potential threats against Kittleson and had previously advised against travel to Iraq. The kidnapping underscores ongoing security concerns in Iraq, particularly for foreign nationals and journalists operating in volatile environments.