Baghdad: The US State Department announced on Tuesday its awareness of the kidnapping of an American journalist in Baghdad, emphasizing its collaboration with the FBI to facilitate her release. Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson revealed that Iraqi authorities have detained a suspect linked to the Iranian-aligned militia Kataib Hezbollah, believed to be involved in the abduction.

According to Anadolu Agency, the journalist, identified by media outlets as Shelly Kittleson, is a US national contributing to several international news platforms. Iraqi security forces reportedly engaged in a pursuit of a vehicle used by the kidnappers, which resulted in the vehicle overturning and led to one arrest. Efforts remain underway to apprehend the remaining suspects and secure Kittleson's release.

Iraq's Interior Ministry has not provided information regarding the motive for the kidnapping, which occurs amidst increased security tensions in Iraq and ongoing US-Israeli strikes on Iran that started on February 28. Johnson reiterated the State Department's Level 4 Travel Advisory for Iraq, urging all Americans, including journalists, to avoid traveling to Iraq or to leave the country immediately if already present.