US Embassy in Baghdad warns Americans in Iraq to leave ‘immediately’

ISTANBUL

The US Embassy in Baghdad urged American citizens in Iraq to leave the country “immediately” due to escalating security threats.

In a security alert issued Saturday, the embassy said “Iran-aligned terrorist militias” have encouraged and carried out attacks against US citizens and US-linked targets across Iraq, including in the Kurdish Regional Government.

The statement said the militias have repeatedly attacked the International Zone in central Baghdad, which remains closed with limited exceptions.

The embassy also reported repeated attacks near Erbil International Airport and the US Consulate General.

It advised American citizens not to attempt to travel to the embassy in Baghdad or the consulate in Erbil due to the continued risk of rockets, drones, and projectiles in Iraqi airspace.

The embassy reiterated its Level 4 travel advisory—Do Not Travel—for Iraq, warning that “terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict and civil unrest pose significant risks and that the US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to Americans in the country.”

“Do not travel to Iraq for any reason. Leave now if you are there,” the statement warned.

Regional tensions have flared since Israel and the US launched joint attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,200 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries, which it says are targeting “US military assets.”