The mother of a freelance American journalist, recently freed from captivity in Iraq, has voiced her heartfelt hope that her daughter will finally come home to rural Wisconsin after living overseas for many years.
Release After Kidnapping in Baghdad
Shelly Kittleson, a 49-year-old journalist, was kidnapped by Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia group, from a street corner in Baghdad on March 31. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed her release on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.
Exchange Deal Revealed
Two anonymous officials within the militia disclosed to The Associated Press that Kittleson's freedom was secured in exchange for the release of several group members previously detained by Iraqi authorities. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to comment publicly.
Mother's Emotional Relief
Barb Kittleson, Shelly's mother, expressed immense relief at her daughter's release, though she remains uncertain about how much U.S. officials want her to disclose. In a poignant gesture, she visited her local library in Mount Horeb, a village of approximately 7,000 people in southern Wisconsin, to email her daughter.
"I told her I hope she returns to the U.S. and that I've made up her bedroom," Barb Kittleson said, highlighting her longing for a reunion.
A Life Abroad
Shelly Kittleson left Wisconsin in 1995 at the age of 19, moving to Italy where she attended school and worked as a nanny. Over the years, she built a reputation as a determined and courageous reporter, covering stories from Iraq, Syria, and other parts of the Middle East for outlets including Al-Monitor.
Family Tragedies and Long Separation
Barb Kittleson revealed that her husband, Bob, died of pancreatic cancer in 2024, and she has not seen her daughter since 2002, when she visited Shelly while touring Italy. When asked if she misses her daughter, she nodded affirmatively.
She also expressed uncertainty about whether Shelly will receive her message, noting that U.S. officials are attempting to limit contact with her for a week and that it is unclear if her daughter's captors confiscated her phone and computer.
History of Kidnappings
Kataib Hezbollah has been accused of kidnapping other foreigners in the past. Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Princeton graduate student with Israeli and Russian citizenship, disappeared in Baghdad in 2023. After being freed and handed over to U.S. authorities in September 2025, she stated she had been held by Kataib Hezbollah, though the group never officially claimed responsibility.
Broader Context of Militia Activities
Iran-backed militias in Iraq have also been launching regular attacks on U.S. facilities in the country since the onset of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, adding to the volatile security situation in the region.
As Shelly Kittleson's family awaits her potential return, this case underscores the ongoing risks faced by journalists in conflict zones and the complex diplomatic efforts involved in securing their release.
