The Iraqi group Kataib Hezbollah has released American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was kidnapped a week ago in Baghdad, reports the "New York Times," citing two Iraqi security officials and the group itself. Kataib Hezbollah stated that Kittleson's release was made "as a sign of appreciation for the patriotic stances" of the Iraqi prime minister and emphasized that the journalist must leave Iraq immediately. According to the officials, the 49-year-old was released in exchange for some of the group's detainees. A security official from the Iran-backed group added that "this initiative will not be repeated in the future." Shelly Kittleson, originally from Wisconsin, is an independent journalist who collaborates with international and Italian media, including Il Foglio and Ansa. For 15 years, she has covered conflicts in the Middle East, reporting from war zones in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan.