US journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped in Baghdad, and one of the arrested suspects belonged to an Iranian-backed militia. BAGHDAD, Iraq: An American journalist was kidnapped Tuesday (Mar 31) in Baghdad by a suspected Iranian-backed Iraqi armed group, the United States said, as regional security deteriorates following the US-Israeli attack on Iran. The State Department said it had warned the journalist of security risks and was working to ensure the American's release "as soon as possible"