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American Journalist Shelly Kittleson Released by Iraqi Militia

newsApr 7, 202646915

American journalist Shelly Kittleson, kidnapped near Baghdad last week, has been released. Iran-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah issued a statement saying it would free her and demanded she leave Iraq immediately. U.S. and Iraqi officials confirmed her release, and reporting says the militia secured it by winning the release of its members. Her release ends a weeklong hostage crisis that exposed the power of Iran-backed militias in Iraq and strained U.S.-Iraq ties.

Key Highlights

Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped near Baghdad last week.
Kataib Hezbollah announced her release on condition she leave Iraq immediately.
U.S. and Iraqi officials say release followed prisoner exchanges.
3 sources