American freelance journalist kidnapped in Baghdad

Baghdad. An American freelance journalist, Shelly Kittleson, has been kidnapped in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. According to Iraqi and American officials, individuals linked to the Iran-backed armed group Kataib Hezbollah appear to be involved in the abduction.

Kittleson, who writes for the news portal Al-Monitor, was abducted on Tuesday evening near a hotel in central Baghdad. The Iraqi Interior Ministry stated that during a pursuit of the kidnappers' vehicle by security forces, one car overturned, leading to the arrest of a suspect.