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Iraqi Officials Believe a Powerful Iran-Backed Militia Is Behind a US Journalist's Abduction
Iraqi officials say at least one suspect has been detained as search teams work to locate the journalist and secure her release.
- American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson was abducted in Baghdad on March 31 when unidentified men forced her into a vehicle on Saadoun Street and drove southwest of the city.
- Iraqi and U.S. officials believe the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia kidnapped Kittleson, likely to halt U.S. airstrikes in Jurf al-Sakhar, where she is held 40 miles south of Baghdad.
- Abbas al-Jubouri, head of the Al-Rafid Center for Strategic and Media Studies, stated the abduction was likely "premeditated rather than random," despite State Department warnings about regional security risks.
- Militia leaders have gone underground, complicating negotiation efforts; Iraqi authorities are willing to release six detained Kataib members to help secure the journalist's freedom.
- Journalist advocacy groups have urged the U.S. government to designate Kittleson a "wrongful detainee," while the FBI and State Department coordinate efforts to secure her release amid sensitive diplomatic operations.
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Iraqi militia supported by Iran had kidnapped her on March 31 in Baghdad
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources109
Leaning Left28Leaning Right3Center66Last UpdatedBias Distribution68% Center
Bias Distribution
- 68% of the sources are Center
68% Center
L 29%
C 68%
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