An American journalist, Shelly Kittleson, who was kidnapped in Baghdad, has now been released. The news was confirmed by Marco Rubio.

The United States Department of State thanked several groups for helping to secure her freedom. These include the FBI, the Department of Defense, US officials from different agencies, and the Iraqi judicial authorities, along with their local partners.

In a message shared online, Rubio said her release shows the strong commitment of the administration of Donald Trump to protect American citizens anywhere in the world.

Kittleson, who works as a freelance journalist, has built a solid reputation reporting from the Middle East, especially in Iraq and Syria.

Rubio also stated on Tuesday that the United States is making arrangements to ensure she safely leaves Iraq.

Reports say Kittleson was kidnapped in Baghdad by a militant group believed to be supported by Iran. This happened during rising tensions in the region after joint military actions involving the US and Israel against Iran.

Before her release, the US State Department had already said it was working hard to secure her freedom as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, Dylan Johnson revealed on X that Iraqi authorities have arrested a suspect linked to the Iran-backed group Kataib Hezbollah, believed to have been involved in the abduction.