American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson has been released after being abducted a week ago by a Shiite militia group, according to Al-Monitor, one of the publications that has employed her.
Alex Plitsas, a CNN national security analyst and her U.S. point of contact, posted on X that they were still awaiting Kittleson’s transfer to U.S. officials. “We welcome the news of her pending release but will save celebratory statements until she is transferred. The video that was released provided proof of life. We will have more to say when she is in US hands,” he wrote.
News outlets began reporting news of her release earlier on Tuesday, after the militia Kataib Hezbollah said in a statement on Telegram that she was being released “on the condition that she leaves the country immediately.” Al-Monitor cited two unnamed officials as confirming her release.
Kittleson also contributed to Foreign Policy, BBC World Service and Politico, among other publications.
According to the AP, two officials in the militia said that in exchange for freeing Kittleson, several members of the group who had been detained by the Iraqi authorities would be released.