Iraqi militia releases kidnapped journalist Shelly Kittleson: AP

Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah on Tuesday released journalist Shelly Kittleson, whom it abducted in late March, an Iraqi official told the Associated Press.

The group had previously announced its plans to release Kittleson as a show of gratitude to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. They did, however, assert that Kittleson would be required to leave the country upon her release.

Kataib Hezbollah is part of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a coalition of militias with official status in the Iraqi military. It was formed to combat ISIS at the height of its power in northern Iraq.

Kittleson's release reportedly came in exchange for Baghdad releasing several of the militia's own members from custody.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.