Iraqi group releases abducted US journalist

Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah militia on Tuesday announced the release of US journalist Shelly Kittleson and ordered the reporter to leave the country immediately.

The release "will not be repeated," group member Abu Mujahid al-Assaf said in a statement on US social media company X.

Kittleson was kidnapped in Baghdad on March 31.

Her capture came amid regional escalations since Israel and the US launched an offensive against Iran on Feb. 28.

Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure, while disrupting global markets and aviation.

*Writing by Serdar Dincel