State Department says it warned US journalist of threats against her before abduction

Published March 31, 2026 6:02pm ET



The State Department said it was aware of the kidnapping of American journalist Shelly Kittleson on Tuesday, noting it had warned Kittleson of multiple threats against her prior to the incident.

“The U.S. Department of State is aware of the reported kidnapping of an American journalist in Baghdad, Iraq,” Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson said on X.

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