LATEST: What do we know about the kidnapping of an American journalist in Iraq?
Sources confirm that the following story has emerged from the international scene.
An American journalist was kidnapped Tuesday in Iraq by a suspected pro-Iran group, Washington announced, as the security situation deteriorates in the wake of Israeli-American strikes against Iran. “An individual with ties to the Kataeb Hezbollah militia, an ally of Iran and suspected of involvement in the kidnapping, has been arrested by Iraqi authorities,” Dylan Johnson, assistant secretary of state for public diplomacy, wrote on X. The State Department said it had warned the journalist of risks related to her security and was working to obtain her release “as soon as possible”. According to a US official on condition of anonymity, she has been contacted several times about threats against her, “including last night”. Previously, the Iraqi Interior Ministry had indicated that “a foreign journalist was kidnapped by unknown persons” and that the security forces were working to “guarantee her release”, according to a press release.Kidnapping in BaghdadA security source told AFP that the events had occurred in the capital Baghdad. The journalist was identified as Shelly Kittleson, who collaborates in particular with the site specializing in the Middle East, al-Monitor. The latter called for her “immediate” release. In a press release, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said it was very concerned by this kidnapping, and stressed that the journalist “knew Iraq well”. According to the International Women’s Media Foundation, an NGO, Shelly Kittleson is a “recognized journalist” specializing in the Middle East. She is based in Rome.PurchaseIraqi authorities launched an operation to find the kidnappers after receiving reports of her kidnapping. A chase led to the interception of a vehicle “belonging to the kidnappers, which overturned as they tried to flee. Security forces were able to arrest one of the suspects and seize one of the vehicles used in the crime,” the ministry added. “Efforts continue to find the other individuals involved and secure the release of the kidnapped journalist,” according to the same source. Consult the file Iraq In the past, Baghdad was infamous for kidnappings and attempted kidnappings but their number has decreased as Iraq’s security situation has improved in recent years. Israeli-Russian academic Elizabeth Tsurkov was kidnapped in the Iraqi capital in 2023. She was detained for two years before being released last year.
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Source: This article was originally published in another language by 20Minutes – Actu Monde and has been translated and adapted for our global English-speaking audience. Read the original article here.