American journalist kidnapped in Baghdad, police officials say

An American woman journalist was kidnapped in Baghdad on Tuesday and authorities are searching the city for her, two police officials said.



The Iraqi interior ministry confirmed the abduction of a female journalist but did not disclose her nationality. The ministry said one suspect was arrested and efforts were ongoing to free the journalist.



Police officials who declined to be named later identified the victim as Shelly Kittleson.



Middle East news site AL-Monitor said Kittleson is a U.S. freelance journalist based in Rome who has covered several wars in the region and contributed articles to the outlet.



A State Department official said the U.S. was aware of the reported kidnapping of an American journalist in Baghdad, adding that Washington had previously issued a warning.