United States: Do not travel to Iraq. Leave immediately if you are there.

The US Embassy in Baghdad issued a new security warning on Thursday, urging its citizens not to travel to Iraq and to leave immediately, citing escalating security threats and attacks targeting Americans and US-related interests.

The embassy said in an “alert” issued today: “Do not travel to Iraq for any reason. Leave immediately if you are there,” stressing that what it described as “Iranian-backed militias have launched widespread attacks on American citizens and US-related targets throughout Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region.”

She added that the US mission in Iraq remains open despite the order to leave, to assist American citizens inside the country, while warning against going to the embassy in Baghdad or the consulate general in Erbil because of the ongoing risks from missiles and drones.

The embassy noted that Iran and its affiliated groups “pose a significant threat to public safety in Iraq,” explaining that these groups have targeted diplomatic facilities, companies, energy infrastructure, and sites believed to be linked to the United States, in addition to commercial airports and hotels frequented by foreigners, with a warning of the possibility of Americans being kidnapped.

She noted that the airspace is closed and there are no commercial flights from Iraq, while land routes to Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Turkey remain open with long delays expected, urging American citizens to leave through these ports of entry.

She explained that routine consular services, including visa services, are suspended, urging her citizens to leave immediately, avoid gatherings and demonstrations, comply with the instructions of local authorities, maintain supplies of food, water and medicine, and follow updates from the U.S. State Department.

Shafaq.com