Was Kataib Hezbollah behind kidnapping US journalist Shelly Kittleson in Iraq?

ALBAWABA - American journalist Shelly Kittleson was abducted Tuesday in Baghdad, Iraqi authorities announced, adding that security forces are investigating the incident and trying to track down the kidnappers.

Two Iraqi security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that two cars were involved in the kidnapping, and that one of them crashed while being pursued near the town of al-Haswa in Babil province, southwest of Baghdad, according to the Associated Press.

They added that "the journalist was transferred to a second car that fled the scene." They indicated that "she was kidnapped on Saadoun Street in central Baghdad, and an alert was sent to all checkpoints, leading to the pursuit of the kidnappers as they headed towards Babil Governorate."

Who kidnapped Shelly Kittleson?

Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs posted on X regarding the kidnapping of the American citizen in Iraq by saying, "The U.S. Department of State is aware of the reported kidnapping of an American journalist in Baghdad, Iraq."

Dylan Johnson added, "The State Department previously fulfilled our duty to warn this individual of threats against them and we will continue to coordinate with the FBI to ensure their release as quickly as possible. An individual with ties to the Iranian-aligned militia group Kataib Hezbollah (KH), believed to be involved in the kidnapping has been taken into custody by Iraqi authorities."

He mentioned, "Iraq remains at a Level 4 Travel Advisory and Americans are advised not to travel to Iraq for any reason and to leave Iraq now. The State Department strongly advise all Americans, including members of the press, to adhere to all travel advisories."