American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson was released in Baghdad on April 7, one week after Kataib Hezbollah took her from a busy street in the Iraqi capital, two Iraqi officials with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed.
Her freedom came through a prisoner exchange. Iraqi authorities agreed to release several detained Kataib Hezbollah members, most held in connection with attacks on a U.S. military base in Syria, according to two Iraqi security officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Breaking
Kidnapped American journalist released in IraqThe pro-Iran Kata’eb Hezbollah militia releases Shelly Kittleson, who was abducted in broad daylight in Baghdad a week ago,
in exchange for releasing militia detainees held by the government for attacking U.S. targets
— Rafid Jaboori رافد جبّوري (@RafidFJ) April 7, 2026
Multiple sources told CBS News that Kittleson’s name appeared on a pre-compiled Kataib Hezbollah target list of American journalists the group intended to kidnap or kill, framing her March 31 abduction as a deliberate, premeditated operation rather than an opportunistic seizure.
Kataib Hezbollah announced her release in a Telegram statement, saying the decision came “in appreciation of the patriotic stances of the outgoing” Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. The group added that “this initiative will not be repeated in the future.”
Alex Plitsas, Kittleson’s designated U.S. point of contact and a CNN national security analyst, told CBS News the U.S. government had warned her of a specific Kataib Hezbollah threat as recently as the night before she was taken. Kittleson received multiple warnings, a U.S. official said, but did not want to leave.
An undated video shared by a Kataib Hezbollah-affiliated account appeared to show Kittleson, 49, in a pink sweater and green blazer speaking directly to camera in English.
SOFX could not independently verify when or where the footage was filmed.
VIDEO | Footage shows “confession” by US “freelance” journalist Shelley Kittleson, abducted by the Iraqi resistance roughly one week ago.
Iraq’s Kataib Hezbollah said on Friday that they would release Kittleson on condition that she leave the country immediately.
Western… pic.twitter.com/uWWZJ9lD0X
— WarCabinet (@warcabinet_) April 7, 2026
Kataib Hezbollah did not officially claim responsibility for the abduction, consistent with its conduct during the March 2023 kidnapping of Princeton University graduate student Elizabeth Tsurkov, who was held for more than 900 days before U.S. authorities received her in September 2025.
The U.S. State Department has now confirmed Kittleson’s release. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that U.S. agencies and Iraqi partners successfully secured her freedom.
I am pleased to announce the release of American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was recently kidnapped by members of the foreign terrorist organization Kata’ib Hizballah near Baghdad, Iraq.
The U.S. Department of State extends its appreciation to the Federal Bureau of…
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) April 8, 2026
Despite official confirmations from Washington and Baghdad, the news had yet to reach Kittleson’s home in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. Her mother, surrounded by FBI agents, told reporters she remained in the dark about her daughter’s true status.
