— NEW: A security official from the Iran-aligned Iraqi militia Kata'ib Hezbollah, Haj Abu Mujahed Al-Asaf, announced the group has decided to release American journalist Shelley Kittleson in appreciation of what he described as the outgoing prime minister's "patriotic stances," on the condition that she leave the country immediately.
He added that this step is a one-time measure and will not be repeated, stressing that they are in a state of war against the “Zionist-American enemy,” where such considerations are often set aside.
