31
Mar 2026
17:12 UTC
Iraq Alert: American journalist reportedly kidnapped in Baghdad during evening hours on March 31; avoid all travel
Current Situatuion:
- The Iraqi Ministry of Interior (MoI) announced during the evening hours (local time) on March 31 that a foreign journalist was kidnapped by unknown individuals.
- Reports indicate that the victim is the prominent US journalist, Shelly Kittleson, and that she was kidnapped near the Palestine Hotel in central Baghdad’s al-Saadoun Street.
- The MoI indicated that law enforcement authorities had apprehended one of the suspects, seized a vehicle used in the crime, and that search operations remain ongoing.
- No group has claimed responsibility for her kidnapping at the time of writing.
Source: MoI
Recommendations:
- Continue avoiding all travel to Iraq amid the current escalation between the US/Israel and Iran and the extensive risks posed to US nationals in the country.
- US nationals still in Iraq are advised to maintain as low a profile as possible and leave the country due to the elevated risk of kidnapping.
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL
Extreme
AFFECTED AREA
Baghdad; Iraq
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
Extreme
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Credible
Current Situatuion:
- The Iraqi Ministry of Interior (MoI) announced during the evening hours (local time) on March 31 that a foreign journalist was kidnapped by unknown individuals.
- Reports indicate that the victim is the prominent US journalist, Shelly Kittleson, and that she was kidnapped near the Palestine Hotel in central Baghdad’s al-Saadoun Street.
- The MoI indicated that law enforcement authorities had apprehended one of the suspects, seized a vehicle used in the crime, and that search operations remain ongoing.
- No group has claimed responsibility for her kidnapping at the time of writing.
Source: MoI
Recommendations:
- Continue avoiding all travel to Iraq amid the current escalation between the US/Israel and Iran and the extensive risks posed to US nationals in the country.
- US nationals still in Iraq are advised to maintain as low a profile as possible and leave the country due to the elevated risk of kidnapping.
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL
Extreme
AFFECTED AREA
Baghdad; Iraq
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
Extreme
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Credible
Related Reports
Iraq
-
PiracyIndian Ocean Alert: MSCIO reports suspected pirates attempt to board Iranian-flagged vessel approximately 740 km east of Mogadishu on March 25 -
Armed ConflictOman Alert: US Embassy issues nationwide shelter-in-place advisory during night hours on March 23; implement shelter-in-place procedure, adhere to authorities’ directives -
Armed ConflictMENA Alert: IRGC issues evacuation warning for US-affiliated industries in region due to imminent attacks on March 16; shelter in place
-
CyberGlobal Alert: Iran-linked hacking group target US-based company in Cork, Ireland on March 11; likely to recur amid ongoing hostilities in Middle East
Related Reports
Iraq
-
PiracyIndian Ocean Alert: MSCIO reports suspected pirates attempt to board Iranian-flagged vessel approximately 740 km east of Mogadishu on March 25
-
Armed ConflictOman Alert: US Embassy issues nationwide shelter-in-place advisory during night hours on March 23; implement shelter-in-place procedure, adhere to authorities’ directives
-
Armed ConflictMENA Alert: IRGC issues evacuation warning for US-affiliated industries in region due to imminent attacks on March 16; shelter in place
-
CyberGlobal Alert: Iran-linked hacking group target US-based company in Cork, Ireland on March 11; likely to recur amid ongoing hostilities in Middle East