West Asia war: US Embassy issues urgent security alert in Baghdad

The US Embassy in Baghdad has issued an urgent security alert warning that Iranaligned militia groups may be planning attacks in central Baghdad within the next 24 to 48 hoursIn a post on X the embassy cautioned that such groups could carry out attacks targeting locations associated with the United States The advisory raised concerns over the safety of American citizens and assets in IraqAccording to the alert Iran and Iranaligned militias have previously carried out widespread attacks against USlinked targets across Iraq including in the Iraqi Kurdistan RegionThe embassy stated that possible targets may include US citizens businesses universities diplomatic premises energy infrastructure hotels airports and other locations perceived to have links with the United States reported the PTIIt also highlighted the risk of kidnappings noting that such groups have previously targeted Americans for abductionConcerns over security environmentThe embassy warned that the Iraqi government has not been able to fully prevent attacks originating within its territory It added that some militia members may pose as government personnel and carry identification suggesting official statusSecurity Alert ndash US Embassy Baghdad Iraq ndash April 2 2026Location IraqIraqi terrorist militia groups aligned with Iran may intend to conduct attacks in central Baghdad in the next 2448 hours Iran and Iranaligned terrorist militias have conducted widespread attackshellipmdash US Embassy Baghdad USEmbBaghdad April 2 2026Despite the heightened threat the embassy continues to operate under an ordered departure status to assist US nationals though it has strongly advised against visiting diplomatic facilities in Baghdad or the consulate in Erbil the news agency reportedLevel 4 travel advisory reiteratedAccording to the ANI the US Department of State has reiterated its Level 4 ldquoDo Not Travelrdquo advisory for Iraq urging American citizens to leave the country immediately if presentThe advisory stressed that those choosing to remain in Iraq do so at significant personal riskOfficials confirmed that Iraqi airspace is currently closed with commercial flights suspended However overland routes to neighbouring countries such as Jordan Kuwait Saudi Arabia and Turkiye remain open though travellers should expect delays as per the ANILocal ground transport services are still functioning and US citizens have been urged to depart via available land routesJournalist kidnapping raises alarmThe warning comes amid reports of the abduction of Shelly Kittleson in Baghdad The US Department of State confirmed it is investigating the case and coordinating with the FBI the ANI reportedAssistant Secretary Dylan Johnson said the individual had previously been warned about potential security risks in the regionwith ANI inputs