BREAKING: A foreign female journalist was kidnapped in Baghdad on Tuesday by unknown parties, the Iraqi interior ministry said. The kidnapped journalist holds a US passport, according to two Iraqi police sources. pic.twitter.com/uQNQc5TZ7m
— Al Jazeera Breaking News (@AJENews) March 31, 2026
‘The pursuit resulted in the interception of a vehicle belonging to the kidnappers, which overturned as they attempted to flee,’ the ministry said, confirming that a suspect was arrested.
The journalist was reportedly taken near the Palestine Hotel on Al-Saadoun Street in central Baghdad.
No group has claimed responsibility yet but there are fears that Iran could be behind the kidnapping.
Kittleson was not in the vehicle intercepted by Iraqi security forces and her whereabouts are said to be currently unknown.
Kittleson, who has written for publications including Al Monitor, Foreign Policy, and The National, has reported across Iraq and the Middle East.