US warns Iran-aligned militias may target hotels in Iraq’s Kurdish region
US Embassy says hotels used by foreigners may be hit, urges Americans to leave immediately
File photo from US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq on January 01, 2020
WASHINGTON
The US Embassy in Baghdad warned Friday that Iran-aligned militia groups may seek to target hotels frequented by foreigners in Iraq’s Kurdish Region, urging American citizens to leave as soon as possible.
In a security alert, the embassy said US citizens in Iraq are “strongly encouraged to depart as soon as they are safely able to do so,” citing growing security risks linked to Iran-backed groups.
The embassy also advised US citizens to maintain a low profile, avoid gatherings associated with the US, and stay away from protests and demonstrations.
Commercial flights are currently not operating out of Iraq, the embassy said, adding that Americans should consider overland routes to neighboring countries, including Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
The alert comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East since Feb. 28, when US and Israeli forces began airstrikes on Iran that have killed more than 1,000 people, including Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, over 150 schoolgirls, and senior military officials.
Iran has retaliated with drone and missile attacks targeting US-linked sites across the region. A drone strike in Kuwait killed six US service members at a tactical operations center.
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