U.S. Warns Citizens: Avoid Travel to This Middle Eastern Country

The U.S. State Department has instructed non-essential American government employees to leave Iraq without delay, raising their travel warning to Level 4: Do Not Travel due to the rising levels of violence, terrorist activities, and widespread civil disturbances across the nation.
a travel advisory says
.

The decision, announced late Wednesday, is in reaction to what authorities characterize as “increased regional unrest” and a worsening security situation, leaving American citizens in Iraq without many choices and assurances for help during emergencies, according to the warning.

The US Embassy in Baghdad is
currently operational with reduced staff
, and this order will not impact a significant number of staff.

Despite this, the “avoid travel” warning has been issued due to the extensive threats posed by terrorist and insurgent organizations in Iraq. These groups often attack Iraqi security personnel, ordinary citizens, and Western targets. Americans residing in the nation are continually exposed to risks such as abductions, rocket assaults, drone strikes, and improvised explosives. Many incidents occur close to or within significant urban centers like Baghdad, according to the advisory.

According to the advisory, US government employees in Baghdad are currently banned from utilizing the city’s international airport—a precaution typically enforced only during highly critical situations. Additionally, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released both a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and a Special Federal Aviation Regulation alerting pilots about substantial dangers for civilian planes flying within or close to Iraqi airspace because of potential air strikes and land-based assaults, as stated in the advisory.

The U.S. State Department has voiced increasing concern about the danger presented by anti-American militia groups active in the area. According to intelligence reports, these organizations are deliberately aiming at both American citizens and foreign businesses, as mentioned in the warning. Additionally, the statement notes that the ability of the U.S. Embassy to assist distressed Americans is constrained, especially within regions dominated by such militant factions.

The advisory strongly urges U.S. citizens not to enter Iraq for any purpose, particularly warning against those who might consider transiting through the country with intentions of joining armed struggles in adjacent Syria.