Overview
- Shelly Kittleson, who was abducted Monday on Baghdad’s Saadoun Street, remains missing as Iraqi forces continue the search.
- News reports say representatives of an Iran-aligned militia contacted Iraqi officials to negotiate her release in exchange for detained members.
- Iraqi authorities chased an involved vehicle that crashed near Al-Haswa and arrested one suspect, though Kittleson was not found in the car.
- The State Department says the suspects are tied to an Iran-aligned militia and notes it had warned Kittleson of credible threats, while the FBI coordinates with Iraqi counterparts.
- CPJ, RSF, and the Foley Foundation urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to designate her a hostage, highlighting Iraq’s broader pattern of journalist abductions.