BAGHDAD, IRAQ — Wisconsin journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped in Iraq Tuesday.<\/p>\n
According to the New York Post, Kittleson is from Monticello.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Al-Monitor, a US-based organization confirmed Kittleson’s kidnapping and called for her “safe and immediate release,”\u00a0<\/p>\n
The news outlet said it was “deeply alarmed,” by the abduction of Kittleson who works as a contributor.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe call for her safe and immediate release. We stand by her vital reporting from the region and call for her swift return to continue her important work,\u201d the statement added.<\/p>\n
Iraq\u2019s Ministry of Interior said in an earlier statement that a female foreign journalist was kidnapped in central Baghdad by unknown individuals Tuesday evening and that security forces have launched an operation to track down those responsible and secure her release.<\/p>\n
Two interior ministry officials told CNN, on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the case, that the kidnapped journalist was Kittleson.<\/p>\n
A US official told CNN that they are tracking Kittleson\u2019s kidnapping and is working with Iraq to try to secure her release.<\/p>\n
A State Department official said that they \u201care (closely) tracking these reports,\u201d but declined to comment further \u201cdue to privacy and other considerations.\u201d \u201cThe Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans,\u201d the State Department official said.<\/p>\n
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said it was \u201cdeeply concerned\u201d by reports of Kittleson\u2019s abduction and urged Iraqi authorities to do everything in their power to locate her and \u201chold those responsible to account.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kittleson is a journalist specializing in the Middle East and Afghanistan, with work published in international, US and Italian outlets, according to Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n
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