Kidnapping of an American Journalist in Baghdad
March 31, 2026
An armed group dressed in black has kidnapped American journalist Shelley Kittleson near the Palestine Hotel in central Baghdad.
The Ministry of Interior announced the arrest of one suspect involved in the kidnapping operation following a pursuit that led to the overturning of a vehicle belonging to the kidnappers. The ministry confirmed that efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining perpetrators and secure the release of the abducted journalist, without providing further details.
The kidnapped journalist is reported to reside in Italy and works for the Italian news agency, in addition to contributing as a freelance journalist to online platforms and newspapers such as The Monitor.
Video footage captured by CCTV cameras on Al-Saadoon Street showed the kidnappers’ appearances, with their faces clearly visible and uncovered.
The Iraqi Journalistic Freedoms Observatory strongly condemned the abduction of a foreign journalist in Iraq, describing the incident as systematic terrorism targeting what remains of press freedom. It warned that such acts evoke memories of past periods marked by chaos, suppression of voices through armed force, and the boldness of armed groups operating in vital areas. This raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the security presence in the capital.
The observatory also cautioned against leniency toward the groups responsible for the kidnapping, denouncing what it described as a blatant challenge to all laws and security norms in Iraq.
Furthermore, it called on the relevant authorities to disclose the results of the investigation transparently and in a timely manner, and to refrain from withholding information about the perpetrators—as has occurred in the past—warning that such practices contribute to the worsening culture of impunity in the country.
