American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson, 49, has gone missing in Baghdad, Iraq, after being forcibly taken by two unidentified men at a busy intersection. Surveillance footage confirms the abduction, raising concerns for her safety.

Courageous Reporter in a Dangerous Region

Colleagues describe Kittleson as a dedicated and courageous reporter who frequently worked in high-risk areas without the backing of a major news organization. She often relied on shared taxis and navigated areas controlled by militias, operating on a limited budget.

A Longstanding Career in the Middle East

Kittleson has lived abroad for years, using Rome as a base and building a respected journalism career throughout the Middle East. She has reported from Iraq, Syria, and surrounding countries for over a decade, contributing to outlets like Al-Monitor.

Details of the Abduction

The abduction occurred on Tuesday when Kittleson was forced into a car by two men. Patrizio Nissirio, a former editor at Italian news agency ANSA who has known Kittleson since 2011, shared her unwavering commitment to reporting from conflict zones. “She is a great reporter and always wants to go to areas where no one wants to go,” Nissirio stated.

Nissirio recounted a previous conversation where he urged her to avoid war zones, to which she replied, “I think my work is worth something when I am in those areas.”

Financial Struggles and Recent Warnings

Friends and colleagues note Kittleson’s independent nature often meant working alone and facing financial hardship. She frequently relied on the support of Iraqi journalists and struggled to secure consistent assignments. In the days leading up to her disappearance, she inquired about transport routes and continued seeking story access.

Hours before the abduction, Kittleson reportedly received a warning from U.S. officials about a potential militia threat, but she dismissed it as not credible. She had previously been stopped at checkpoints but always managed to secure her release, believing, “They will not hurt me.”

Recent Travel and Background

On March 9th, Kittleson attempted to enter Iraq from Syria at the al-Qaim border crossing but was turned back by Iraqi intelligence officers due to kidnapping threats. She subsequently entered Iraq through Jordan without issue.

Originally from Wisconsin, Kittleson left home in 1995 at age 19, first moving to Italy where she studied and worked. She embraced Islam and was known for her kindness and spirituality.

Her mother, Barb Kittleson, stated they exchanged emails regularly, including on Monday when her daughter sent recent photos. She hasn’t seen her daughter in person since 2002.

Iraq's Current Situation

The abduction occurs during a period of heightened tension in Iraq, which is caught in the crossfire of the Iran conflict and facing attacks from Iranian-backed militias targeting American facilities. Kittleson’s most recent article, published Monday in the Italian newspaper Il Foglio, focused on the impact of the Iran war on Iraq’s Kurdish region.

“Journalism is what she wanted to do so bad,” her mother said. “I wanted her to come home and not do it, but she said, ‘I’m helping people.’”