Marco Rubio confirms release of US journalist Shelly Kittleson held near Baghdad

WASHINGTON, DC: Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, said that American journalist Shelly Kittleson has been freed after being kidnapped in Iraq. Rubio took to X to share that she was "kidnapped" by members of Kata'ib Hizballah near Baghdad, but has now been released.

The announcement made it clear that Kittleson is free and that steps are being taken to make sure she gets back to the United States safely.

Rubio credits US agencies and Iraqi partners

In his statement, Rubio thanked several US agencies and Iraqi institutions for their role in securing Kittleson’s release.

“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.”

Rubio also thanked the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council and other Iraqi partners who helped with the process. He said that their working together was very important for fixing the problem and getting the journalist out.

Rubio shared that plans are being made right now to get Kittleson out of Iraq safely. He also said that US officials are trying to help her leave and come back home after the incident.

“The US Department of State extends its appreciation to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of War, US personnel across multiple agencies, and the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council and our Iraqi partners for their assistance in securing her release,” he said.

“We are relieved that this American is now free and are working to support her safe departure from Iraq,” Rubio added.

Kittleson’s kidnapping raised concerns

Kittleson was freed in the afternoon, but the Iraqi officials did not share her current whereabouts.

Kataib Hezbollah, a powerful Iran-backed Iraqi militia, said Tuesday that it would release Kittleson “in appreciation of the patriotic stances of the outgoing prime minister," Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, without giving more details.

It added that “this initiative will not be repeated in the future.”

Kittleson, 49, a freelance journalist, lived abroad for years before the kidnapping and used Rome as her base for a time.

She built a respected journalism career across the Middle East, particularly in Iraq and Syria.

Iraqi officials said that two cars were involved in the kidnapping. One of the cars crashed while being chased near the town of al-Haswa in Babil province, which is southwest of Baghdad.

After that, the journalist was moved to a second car that drove away.

Three Iraqi officials said on Tuesday morning that efforts to negotiate her release had hit a snag.

Kittleson’s kidnapping had raised concerns about the security situation in Iraq, particularly in areas where armed groups operate.

Her release comes after coordination between US officials and Iraqi authorities, though details about the circumstances of her captivity and release have not been fully disclosed.