American journalist Shelly Kittleson has been released, Iraqi official says

American journalist Shelly Kittleson, kidnapped in Baghdad last week, was released Tuesday afternoon, an Iraqi official said. Kataib Hezbollah announced it had decided to free her, citing appreciation for outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, and ordered her to leave Iraq immediately; militia officials told the AP detainees from their ranks would be freed in exchange. US and Iraqi officials had previously pointed to the group. Negotiations had been hampered as militia leaders went to ground, officials said, after a kidnapping that involved a car chase and a transfer near al-Haswa in Babil province.