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American journalist kidnapped in Iraq, employer says
By Brian Flood
Published March 31, 2026
Award-winning American journalist Shelly Kittleson has been kidnapped in Iraq, Al-Monitor, a publication that provides coverage of the Middle East, announced on Tuesday.
Al-Monitor called for Kittleson, a freelance contributor, to be released immediately.
"We are deeply alarmed by the kidnapping of Al-Monitor contributor Shelly Kittleson in Iraq on Tuesday. We call for her safe and immediate release. We stand by her vital reporting from the region and call for her swift return to continue her important work," Al-Monitor said in a statement.
Journalist Shelly Kittleson has been kidnapped in Iraq, according to reports. (Al-Monitor)
Iraq's interior ministry confirmed on Tuesday that a foreign journalist was kidnapped in Iraq, although the ministry has not confirmed her identity.
Former Pentagon official Alex Plitsas confirmed the news on X and said her whereabouts and condition were unknown, calling himself her designated U.S. point of contact.
The State Department said the Trump administration had no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans and was closely tracking the reports, according to CBS anchor Margaret Brennan.
The State Department didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
Recent headlines published by Kittleson include, "On eve of Iran’s Pezeshkian visit, Iraq jostles for Shiite space amid rivalries," "Iraqis protest proposed 'anti-women' amendment to personal status law" and "Honor killings in Iraq rekindle efforts to criminalize domestic violence."
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Al-Monitor reported that security forces are working to track down the unidentified perpetrators. Iraq’s Interior Ministry told the outlet that "authorities had intercepted a vehicle believed to belong to the abductors that flipped over as they tried to flee" but Kittleson was not in the vehicle.
Kittleson is an American citizen based in Rome and has reported from war zones for years, spending time in Afghanistan and Syria before Iraq.
"Trump administration sources confirmed to Al-Monitor that they were aware of the threat against her and had advised against travel to Iraq," the outlet reported.
This is a developing story, more to come…
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
https://www.foxnews.com/media/american-journalist-kidnapped-iraq-employer-says