US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah group released American journalist Shelley Kittleson, who was kidnapped in Baghdad a week ago.
“I am pleased to announce the release of American journalist Shelley Kittleson, who was recently kidnapped by members of the foreign terrorist organization Kataib Hezbollah near Baghdad,” Rubio wrote.
He added that the United States is working on the safe exit of the journalist from Iraq. Its exact whereabouts have not been determined.
father Data Iraqi sources told The Washington Post that the journalist was released as part of a prisoner exchange deal with Iraq, on the condition that several imprisoned members of the Hezbollah Brigades be released. The group said Kittelson should leave Iraq immediately.
Shelly Kittelson’s kidnapping was reported on March 31 by fellow CNN analyst Alex Pletsas. Kittelson has written from the Middle East and Afghanistan, and in recent weeks has worked in Syria. Her social media indicated that she is collaborating with several publications, including Al-Monitor, Foreign Policy, Politico, and the BBC.
Kataib Hezbollah is a Shiite armed group believed to be supported by Iran. In March 2023, Kataib Hezbollah kidnapped and detained researcher Elizaveta Tsurkova, a Russian and Israeli citizen, for two and a half years. She was released in September 2025.