WATCH: Search for American journalist kidnapped in Iraq

The FBI has joined the search for veteran American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who has been kidnapped in Iraq, according to a source familiar with the investigation. Kittleson is an experienced reporter who has covered the Middle East extensively, giving her work significant journalistic credibility in a volatile region. The involvement of federal law enforcement indicates the U.S. government is treating the case as a priority and suggests it may involve national security considerations. Iraq has remained a dangerous environment for foreign journalists, particularly as security forces and armed groups operate across the country. Details about the circumstances of her kidnapping and any demands from those holding her have not yet been disclosed.