Kataib Hezbollah

Iraq’s militia state: Shelly Kittleson’s kidnapping exposes who runs Baghdad

BEHIND THE LINES: Since October 2023, forces associated with the PMF – that is, affiliated with the government of Iraq – engaged in ongoing attacks against US personnel and positions.

US JOURNALIST Shelly Kittleson is pictured in Baghdad on March 31, shortly before she was abducted. Her disappearance has focused attention on the threat posed by Iran-backed militias and the deteriorating security environment in postwar Iraq.
US journalist Shelly Kittleson poses for a picture in Baghdad on March 31, 2026.

Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah to release abducted American journalist Shelly Kittleson

Members of the Hashd al-Shaabi gather in Basra, southern Iraq, to hold a memorial ceremony for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, carrying Khamenei posters and Hashd al-Shaabi and Kataib Hezbollah flags while chanting slogans in support of Iran on March 08, 2026.

Iranian-backed militia in Iraq sends mixed messages about new attacks - analysis

Smoke rises from a high-rise building following a drone attack in Kuwait City on March 8, 2026.

Fanning flames of war, Iran appears to activate Gulf terror cells as conflict expands - analysis


Elizabeth Tsurkov to be returned to Israel soon after being released, source tells 'Post'

US President Donald Trump announced that Israeli-Russian citizen Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Princeton student, was released by Kata'ib Hezbollah on Tuesday evening. 

 Israeli-Russian hostage Elizabeth Tsurkov over a backdrop of Iraqi and Israeli flags.

Iraqi police, paramilitary fighters clash outside government building in Baghdad

The clash broke out in Baghdad's Karkh district after a group of fighters from the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) stormed a government building.

Members of Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) attend a symbolic funeral of fellow members of PMF who were killed by U.S. air strikes on the Syria-Iraq border, in Baghdad, Iraq, June 29, 2021.

How Iraqi militias siphoned billions from Visa and Mastercard for Iran - WSJ

US and Iraqi authorities revealed a complex scheme involving prepaid cards that funneled illicit funds to Iranian-backed terror militias.

 Members of the Iran-backed Iraqi militias al-Nujaba and Kataib Hezbollah appear in Baghdad on December 4, 2023.

Lebanon’s president spurs controversy by saying he doesn’t want Iraqi-style militias

Aoun’s comments “caused discomfort among Iraqis, particularly since Iraq has consistently stood by Lebanon during times of hardship."

 Members of an Iraqi Shi'ite armed group sit in a vehicle after an attack by a drone strike on an Iran-backed militia headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq January 4, 2024.

Israeli Elizabeth Tsurkov must be freed from Iraq, US Congressman Hamadeh says

“Elizabeth’s barbaric, inhumane treatment must end,” Congressman Abraham Hamadeh said.

 Israeli-Russian hostage Elizabeth Tsurkov over a backdrop of Iraqi and Israeli flags.

Negotiations for hostage Elizabeth Tsurkov's release expected to begin, sources tell 'Post'

Tsurkov was kidnapped in March 2023 in Baghdad by Kata'ib Hezbollah, a pro-Iranian Iraqi terrorist organization, and is believed to still be in Iraq.

 Israeli-Russian hostage Elizabeth Tsurkov over a backdrop of Iraqi and Israeli flags.

Trump pushes Iraq to release Israeli-Russian hostage Elizabeth Tsurkov - report

The US urged Iraq to secure the release of Israeli-Russian hostage Elizabeth Tsurkov, warning of political and economic consequences if she remains captive, according to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

 Elizabeth Tsurkov was kidnapped in Iraq earlier this year by Iranian-backed terrorist group Kataib Hezbollah.

Iraq must return Israeli hostage Elizabeth Tzurkov or else, US hostage envoy warns

"If Elizabeth Tsurkov does not come home NOW, then the Iraqi Prime Minister is either incapable and should be fired or, worse, complicit," Boehler said.

 Elizabeth Tsurkov was kidnapped in Iraq earlier this year by Iranian-backed terrorist group Kataib Hezbollah.

Iraqi militias eager for three-way hostage exchange for Israeli-Russian Elizabeth Tsurkov - report

Elizabeth Tsurkov disappeared in March 2023, with Kataib Hezbollah, an organization closely associated with Iran, being blamed for the kidnapping.

 Elizabeth Tsurkov was kidnapped in Iraq earlier this year by Iranian-backed terrorist group Kataib Hezbollah.

Iraqi FM 'categorically denies' status reports of Israeli-Russian hostage

The Iraqi Foreign Minister said that his country's Prime Minister was "making great efforts to release," Israeli-Russian hostage Tsurkov.

 Elizabeth Tsurkov was kidnapped in Iraq earlier this year by Iranian-backed terrorist group Kataib Hezbollah.