Shirley Kitson American journalistkidnapped in Baghdad, IraqTuesday. The news was confirmed by CNN’s Alex Plitsas, her designated U.S. contact.
“Türkiye Today” reported that Kitson was taken away by Hezbollah Brigades. IranThe United States has designated the organizations it supports as foreign terrorist organizations. The search for Kitson is reportedly continuing, but an Iraqi government statement said one of the kidnappers was captured while trying to escape. The U.S. government said Kitson had received warnings of threats from militia groups before she was kidnapped.
ALSO READ | American journalist Shirley Kittelson kidnapped in broad daylight in Iraq; video of kidnapping surface
While a manhunt appears to be underway, many people flocked to her Instagram post to express solidarity and pray for her safe return. This put Kitson’s social media accounts in the spotlight.
Instagram takes center stage after Shelly Kittleson kidnapping case revealed
Kittleson’s last post on Instagram before her abduction was a week ago. “Syrian desert. March 2026,” she wrote, sharing a photo of a road cutting through the desert.
A few hours ago, someone commented with crossed-arms emojis praying for the freelance journalist. Meanwhile, her first pinned photo appeared at the top of her profile, and more people expressed their wishes for her safe return.
“Iraqi counterterrorism services conduct operations in the western desert of Anbar. Early morning. March 2022,” she captioned the photo.
The photo has recently attracted some comments after news of her kidnapping broke. “This war is not about ordinary people, not Americans, and not Jews. Many people from both communities are speaking out against it. I sincerely hope you are safe and hope those around you understand you are not the enemy. Thinking of you and hoping you are safe,” one person wrote.
Another added: “Oh my god please save her Amin.” Another said: “We pray for your safety and all Iraqis are with you. You will be back from these criminals soon. Brave girl, our hearts are with you.”
Among them, an old interview from Kitson also appears, in which she recounts what it was like entering a war zone for the first time.
Shirley Kitson: Old interviews surface
2017 interview Kittleson’s work with TRT World also came to light with the news of her kidnapping. The report noted that she grew up in rural Wisconsin and made multiple trips to opposition-controlled areas in Syria.
Talking about her experience and being labeled a “war correspondent,” Kitson said: “I really don’t like the name ‘war correspondent.’ That being said, obviously, living in a war zone has changed me a lot. Hopefully for the better. I learned a lot. It’s hard to do that without going into detail about exactly how it was done.”
She explains the impact the war zone has had on her. “In a way, it obviously gives me purpose in life. It also gives me nightmares sometimes. That’s normal.”
Recalling her first time in a war zone, Kittleson continued: “My first time in an active war zone [in Syria]I had been to Afghanistan before this and saw what was going on in post-conflict areas or areas where conflict could occur, and later there was conflict, but at that particular time, it was peaceful. That prepared me in a way for Syria, and when I went into Syria in late 2012, bombs were falling. ”
Kitson described how the bombing had a serious impact on her. “Whenever you hear a plane or a helicopter overhead, it only means one thing and that is that the regime is sending a plane to bomb you. So you’re used to looking for a place to hide, even though that doesn’t mean much because you know from experience that obviously a bomb, if it’s a barrel bomb, is going to hit a building and if you’re under it, you’re going to be crushed,” she said.
Comparing her civilian life, she said: “There are still fireworks now, and I can’t stand it. I have to find a place on New Year’s Eve where I don’t have to listen to them.”
