April 7 (UPI) -- An Iran-backed militia freed an American journalist it kidnapped last month in a prisoner exchange with the Iraqi government, Iraqi and militia officials announced Tuesday.
The militia, Kataib Hezbollah, confirmed the release of Shelly Kittleson in response to negotiations with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani. Kataib Hezbollah representative Abu Mujahid al-Assaf said Kittleson was released "on the condition that she leaves the country immediately."
"This initiative will not be repeated again in the coming days," Assaf said in a statement on Telegram. "We are in a state of war wage by the American-Zionist enemy against Islam, and in such circumstances many considerations fall away."
Kataib Hezbollah abducted Kittleson in late March and set her free in a swap involving multiple members of the militia, Iraqi security officials told The New York Times. The Washington Post reported that it was believed Kittleson was held at Turf al-Sakhar, a stronghold of the militia about 40 miles north of Baghdad.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he extended his department's appreciation to those who had assisted in securing her release, which he framed as a reflection of the Trump administration's steadfast commitment to the safety and security of American citizens, no matter where they are in the world."
