"The Iranian-aligned militia, Kataib Hezbollah, is pressing for the release of members detained by the Iraqi government in exchange for freeing the journalist, Shelly Kittleson."
"An Iraqi militia allied with Iran offered on Wednesday to negotiate with the Iraqi government for the release of a kidnapped American journalist, according to two Iraqi security officials.
The group, Kataib Hezbollah, is a powerful militia in Iraq outside the control of the state. In March 2023, it abducted an Israeli-Russian dual national who was a doctoral student at Princeton University, Elizabeth Tsurkov, and held her hostage for more than two years, torturing her while in captivity.
On Wednesday, representatives of the militia contacted Iraqi government officials, the two security figures said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter. They demanded the release of several detained militia members in exchange for freeing the journalist, Shelly Kittleson.
A spokesman for Kataib Hezbollah did not immediately respond to a request for comment and it was not clear whether the group would make additional demands."
Erika Solomon and Falih Hassan report for the New York Times April 1, 2026.
