Wisconsin Journalist Freed After Iraqi Captivity

Shelly Kittleson's mother hopes she will return home after decades abroad.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:50pm

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A detailed, realistic painting of a journalist's notebook and pen on a worn wooden table, with warm sunlight casting dramatic shadows across the scene, conveying a sense of solitude and contemplation.The release of a Wisconsin journalist held captive in Iraq brings bittersweet relief to her family, who hopes for her safe return home after years abroad.Mount Horeb Today

Shelly Kittleson, a 49-year-old freelance American journalist from Wisconsin, was released from captivity in Iraq after being kidnapped by the Iran-backed militia group Kataib Hezbollah on March 31. Her mother, Barb Kittleson, expressed hope that her daughter will now return to the U.S. and her hometown of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, where she has not been since 2002.

Why it matters

Kittleson's release highlights the dangers journalists face reporting from conflict zones, especially in the Middle East. Her story also touches on the emotional toll on families when loved ones go missing abroad for extended periods. The case sheds light on the influence of Iran-backed militias in Iraq and their history of kidnapping foreigners.

The details

Kittleson was kidnapped off a Baghdad street corner on March 31. In exchange for her release, several members of the Kataib Hezbollah militia who had been detained by Iraqi authorities were also freed. Kittleson, who left Wisconsin in 1995 at age 19 to study and work in Italy, has built a reputation as a determined journalist reporting from Iraq, Syria, and other parts of the Middle East over the past two decades.

  • Kittleson was kidnapped on March 31, 2026.
  • She was released from captivity on April 8, 2026.

The players

Shelly Kittleson

A 49-year-old freelance American journalist from Wisconsin who was kidnapped in Iraq and held captive by the Iran-backed militia group Kataib Hezbollah.

Barb Kittleson

The mother of Shelly Kittleson, who expressed hope that her daughter will now return to their hometown of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, after decades of living abroad.

Kataib Hezbollah

An Iran-backed militia group in Iraq that kidnapped Shelly Kittleson and has been accused of kidnapping other foreigners in the past.

Marco Rubio

The U.S. Secretary of State who announced the release of Shelly Kittleson from captivity in Iraq.

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What they’re saying

“I hope my daughter will finally return home after living abroad for decades.”

— Barb Kittleson, Mother of Shelly Kittleson

What’s next

U.S. officials are reportedly trying to limit contact with Shelly Kittleson for one week following her release, so it's unclear when she may be able to return to the United States and her hometown of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin.

The takeaway

Shelly Kittleson's release from captivity in Iraq after being kidnapped by an Iran-backed militia group is a relief for her family, but also highlights the ongoing dangers journalists face reporting from conflict zones in the Middle East. Her story underscores the emotional toll on families when loved ones go missing abroad for extended periods.