U.s. journalist shelly kittleson kidnapped in baghdad, to be released

American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was kidnapped in Baghdad, is to be released, according to an Iranian-backed militia in iraq.

Release conditions remain unclear

Her captors, the Kata'ib Hezbollah militia, announced her impending release on their Telegram channel, stipulating she must leave iraq immediately. Kittleson's whereabouts are currently unknown.

The U.S. government had previously warned Kittleson of a specific threat from Kata'ib Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed paramilitary group that allegedly sought to kidnap or kill female journalists. Despite receiving multiple warnings, including as recently as the night before she was abducted, Kittleson had planned to visit a family in Iraq who assured her of their protection.

Kittleson, a Rome-based journalist, has extensive experience reporting from volatile regions, having previously traveled to Iraq and Syria.