US journalist Shelly Kittleson kidnapped in Baghdad
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U.S. journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped in Baghdad; State Department attributes suspect to Iran-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah.
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US journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped in Baghdad, according to the State Department, which identified a suspect with ties to Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia group. The abduction marks a significant security incident for American personnel in Iraq, where US military advisors and diplomats operate despite persistent threats from Iranian-aligned factions. Kataib Hezbollah has conducted previous attacks on US interests in Iraq and has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States. The case underscores the dangers journalists face in Iraq and the broader tensions between the US and Iranian-backed groups operating in the country. The State Department's attribution to an Iran-backed militia suggests potential state-level complications in securing her release.
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