Good news: Secretary of State Marco Rubio just secured the release of an American journalist who was kidnapped in Iraq!
Last week, Shelly Kittleson of Wisconsin was abducted off the street in Baghdad by an Iranian-backed militia known as Kataib Hezbollah, which is Arabic for Hezbollah Brigades.
Her kidnapping in broad daylight was captured on video, which you can see here:
🚨 BREAKING: The greatest Sec. of State Marco Rubio just announced the RELEASE of American journalist Shelly Kittleson, after being kidnapped by members of the foreign terrorist organization Kata’ib Hizballah near Baghdad, Iraq
GREAT news! 🇺🇸
“The U.S. Department of State… pic.twitter.com/WxVRPd3dQY
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 8, 2026
Thankfully, Marco Rubio was able to get Kittleson freed, and she is now on her way back home!
Rubio announced on X:
I am pleased to announce the release of American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was recently kidnapped by members of the foreign terrorist organization Kata’ib Hizballah near Baghdad, Iraq.
The U.S. Department of State extends its appreciation to the Federal Bureau of…— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) April 8, 2026
I am pleased to announce the release of American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was recently kidnapped by members of the foreign terrorist organization Kata’ib Hizballah near Baghdad, Iraq.
The U.S. Department of State extends its appreciation to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of War, U.S. personnel across multiple agencies, and the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council and our Iraqi partners, for their assistance in securing her release.
This resolution reflects the Trump Administration’s steadfast commitment to the safety and security of American citizens, no matter where they are in the world.
Under President Trump, the wrongful detention or kidnapping of U.S. nationals will not be tolerated. We will continue to use every tool to bring Americans home and to hold accountable those responsible.
We are relieved that this American is now free and are working to support her safe departure from Iraq.
FBI Director Kash Patel also released a statement:
The FBI and our partners are thrilled to welcome American journalist Shelly Kittleson’s release today, after she was recently kidnapped by members of the foreign terrorist organization Kata’ib Hizballah near Baghdad, Iraq.
Our Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell was relentless in this…
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) April 8, 2026
The FBI and our partners are thrilled to welcome American journalist Shelly Kittleson’s release today, after she was recently kidnapped by members of the foreign terrorist organization Kata’ib Hizballah near Baghdad, Iraq.
Our Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell was relentless in this effort working with our outstanding State Department, Department of War, and other partners across the federal government. This was a team effort in every way reflecting President Trump’s commitment to leaving no American behind.
Thank you to our Iraqi partners the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council for their assistance in securing Shelly’s release.
As the State Department works to secure Shelly’s safe return home, please join us in praying for her and her family as they recover in the days ahead.
This could have been much worse if it weren’t for Rubio’s strong leadership negotiating Kittleson’s freedom.
The group that kidnapped Shelly Kittleson also kidnapped and tortured an Israeli-Russian student three years ago.
The New York Post has more on the infamous militia:
The group, one of the most powerful militias in Iraq, has close ties to Iran’s Quds Force, the foreign wing of the country’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.
ADVERTISEMENTIt was previously responsible for abducting Israeli-Russian Princeton doctoral student, Elizabeth Truskov, in 2023, holding her hostage and subjecting her to torture for two years before finally releasing her.
The group has also claimed responsibility for missile strikes on the US Embassy in Baghdad, and was officially designated a foreign terrorist organization in 2009.
Earlier in the day, the Kataib Hezbollah released a video of Kittleson appearing to read from a script and said that she will be freed.
Watch the footage here:
Iraqi Hezbollah releases footage of American journalist Shelly Kittelson in captivity, showing her “admitting” she gathered intelligence on Shia militias for the U.S. consul in Baghdad.
They say she will be freed and must leave Iraq immediately. https://t.co/M8nTZaFNRC pic.twitter.com/bUiqbTiCCm
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) April 7, 2026
The New York Times shared a statement from the Kataib Hezbollah security commander, confirming Kittleson’s release:
The militia, Kataib Hezbollah, said in a statement that it had released Ms. Kittleson “in appreciation of the patriotic positions” of Iraq’s prime minister, who had been negotiating for her release.
“This initiative will not be repeated in the future,” a security commander from the group, who is known as Abu Mujahid Al-Asaf, said in the statement. “We are in a state of war waged by the Zionist-American enemy against Islam and in such situations many considerations are disregarded.”
The group said Ms. Kittleson must leave Iraq immediately.
Mr. Rubio said U.S. authorities were “working to support her safe departure from Iraq.”
How does that sound?
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