US warns citizens in Iraq about travel and departure plans

US urges citizens not to travel to Iraq and plan their departure

The US Embassy in Baghdad urged citizens not to travel to Iraq for any reason due to the risks of armed conflict, terrorism and kidnapping. Americans in Iraq were advised to prepare plans to leave the country in an emergency.

Scraper SystemOctober 24, 2026, 09:39 PM

US urges citizens not to travel to Iraq and plan their departure

The US Embassy in Baghdad updated its travel advisory for Iraq, urging American citizens not to travel to the country for any reason. The advisory cited the risks of armed conflict, terrorism and kidnapping.

Citizens advised to prepare departure plans

The US Department of State urged citizens currently in Iraq to make plans to leave the country in an emergency. It said citizens should not rely on assistance from the US government when preparing those plans.

The advisory said government services that could be provided to American citizens in Iraq during emergencies might be limited because of security risks. It said the Iraqi government might not be able to guarantee the safety of American citizens during sudden outbreaks of violence and armed conflict.

US government employees working in Iraq are under strict security measures and must obtain special permission for travel within the country. Additional measures may be imposed on employees depending on security conditions.

Risk of attacks in Iraq

The US advisory said ISIS and Iran-backed armed groups had encouraged and carried out attacks targeting Americans and US interests in Iraq.

Baghdad International Airport (archive)

Attacks using explosives, rockets and unmanned aerial vehicles have been carried out in various parts of Iraq, including major cities. Hotels, universities, energy facilities, airports and diplomatic facilities perceived as linked to the US have recently been targeted.

The US Federal Aviation Administration has also issued restrictions and warnings for flights in or near Iraqi airspace because of security risks.

Warning over regional tensions

The US Department of State's text said the Iran-backed Houthis had carried out attacks targeting civilian airports and critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. It said the attacks had caused civilian deaths and serious disruptions to air travel.

The advisory said hostile actions in the region could rapidly escalate and spread beyond the areas of conflict that currently exist.

The advisory was updated at a time of rising regional tensions. The text also noted reports in the Western press that the US and Israel were preparing a possible large-scale attack on Iran, while uncertainty remained over when such an attack might take place.

Source: Anadolu Ajansı

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