Baghdad — The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad issued an urgent security alert saying Iran-aligned militia groups may be planning attacks in central Baghdad within the next 24 to 48 hours. The warning, posted on X, noted that Iran and Iran-aligned militias have carried out numerous attacks on U.S. citizens and U.S.-associated targets across Iraq, including in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.
The advisory identified possible targets as U.S. citizens, businesses, universities, diplomatic facilities, energy infrastructure, hotels, airports and other sites perceived to be linked to the United States. It also highlighted a kidnapping threat, stating that terrorist militias have targeted Americans for abduction.
The embassy said the Iraqi government has not prevented terrorist attacks originating in or carried out from Iraqi territory and cautioned that some militia members may falsely claim affiliation with Iraqi authorities or carry identification that suggests they are government employees.
The U.S. Embassy remains operational but is under ordered departure to assist American citizens. It strongly advised against visiting diplomatic facilities in Baghdad or the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil because of significant risks. The alert reiterated the State Department’s Level 4 travel advisory for Iraq, urging Americans not to travel to the country and advising those already there to leave immediately; it warned that U.S. citizens who choose to remain are doing so at significant risk.
The 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 using overland routes if possible.
Separately, 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 department is aware of the reported kidnapping, that it fulfilled its duty to warn the individual, and that it is coordinating with the FBI to secure their release.
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