Iran-backed Iraqi militia says it will release American journalist Shelly Kittleson

The powerful Iran-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah says that it will release American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was kidnapped from a Baghdad street corner last week. The group said in a statement on Tuesday that its decision came “in appreciation of the patriotic stances of the outgoing Prime Minister” Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, without giving more details. It added that “this initiative will not be repeated in future.” Kataib Hezbollah had not previously acknowledged that it was the one responsible for Kittleson’s abduction, although both U.S. and Iraqi officials had pointed fingers at the group. Three Iraqi officials had said earlier in the day that attempts to negotiate her release had run into obstacles.