WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson has been kidnapped in Iraq's capital Baghdad, reports say.
49-year-old Kittleson is a contributor to Washington, D.C.-based Al-Monitor, sending reports and analysis from the Middle East.
'We are deeply alarmed by the kidnapping of Al-Monitor contributor Shelly Kittleson in Iraq on Tuesday. We call for her safe and immediate release,' the nedia organization said in a statement. 'We stand by her vital reporting from the region and call for her swift return to continue her important work.'
Iraq's interior ministry said high-level authorities are searching for the missing journalist, based in Baghdad.
The U.S. Department of State has confirmed it is aware of the reported kidnapping of Shelly Kittleson.
Dylan Johnson, Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs, said that the State Department had previously warned Shelly of threats against her and that it will continue to coordinate with the FBI to ensure her release as quickly as possible.
He added that Iraqi authorities have taken into custody an individual with ties to the Iranian-aligned militia group Kataib Hezbollah, which is believed to be involved in the kidnapping.
CNN reported quoting sources that she was warned of threats against her, including kidnapping, from Kataib Hezbollah.
Iraq remains at a Level 4 Travel Advisory by the State Department, which advised Americans not to travel to Iraq for any reason and those who are currently in the country to leave immediately.
It strongly advised all Americans, including members of the press, to adhere to all travel advisories.
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