Moderate Severity International

American Journalist Kidnapped in Baghdad Amid Active US-Iran Conflict

The Iraqi Ministry of Interior confirmed that American journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped today in Baghdad. Kittleson has reported extensively on the Iraq-Iran region. Iranian-backed Shia militias operating under the Popular Mobilization Forces umbrella have previously kidnapped Western journalists and contractors in Baghdad, and the timing — during active US-Iranian military conflict — raises immediate concerns about state-sponsored or proxy involvement. The US Embassy in Baghdad has been notified.

// Incident Details

County International
StateIQ
Severity Moderate
Incident Type International
PublishedMarch 31, 2026

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