Baghdad, April 2 (ANI): The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad issued an urgent security alert Thursday saying Iran-aligned militia groups may intend to conduct attacks in central Baghdad within the next 24 to 48 hours.
In a post on X, the embassy warned such groups “may intend to conduct attacks in central Baghdad in the next 24-48 hours,” and noted that Iran and Iran-aligned terrorist militias have carried out widespread attacks against U.S. citizens and U.S.-associated targets across Iraq, including in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.
The advisory listed potential targets as U.S. citizens, businesses, universities, diplomatic facilities, energy infrastructure, hotels, airports, and other locations perceived to be associated with the United States. It also highlighted the threat of kidnappings, saying “terrorist militias have targeted Americans for kidnapping.”
The embassy said the Iraqi government has not prevented terrorist attacks in or from Iraqi territory and warned that some Iran-aligned militia members may claim affiliation with Iraqi authorities and could carry identification suggesting they are Iraqi government employees.
The U.S. embassy remains operational but under an ordered departure status to assist American citizens. It strongly advised against visiting diplomatic facilities in Baghdad or the Consulate General in Erbil due to significant risks. The advisory reiterated the U.S. State Department’s Level 4 travel warning for Iraq, urging Americans not to travel to the country and to leave immediately if they are already there: “Do not travel to Iraq for any reason. Leave now if you are there.” It added that U.S. citizens choosing to remain are doing so at significant risk.
The U.S. Department of State’s TravelGov account said Iraq’s airspace is closed and commercial flights are not operating. Overland routes to Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye are open but travelers should expect long delays. Local ground transportation is functioning, and Americans were advised to depart now via one of these overland routes.
Separately, American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson was reportedly abducted in Baghdad. The State Department confirmed it is investigating and said it had previously warned the journalist about security risks. Dylan Johnson, assistant secretary of state for global public affairs, said the State Department is aware of the reported kidnapping, that it had fulfilled its duty to warn the individual, and that it is coordinating with the FBI to secure their release.
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