India, April 1 -- American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was reportedly kidnapped by Iran-backed militant group Kataib Hezbollah in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, shared her last Instagram post on March 21. The 49-year-old's abduction on Tuesday, March 31, was confirmed by Al-Monitor, an independent media outlet for which she had written. Kittleson was from Monticello, Wisconsin

"We are deeply alarmed by the kidnapping of Al-Monitor contributor Shelly Kittleson in Iraq on Tuesday. We call for her safe and immediate release," Al-Monitor said in a statement, the New York Post reported.

"We stand by her vital reporting from the region and call for her swift return to continue her important work," the statement concluded.

In her last Instag...