The United States Embassy in Iraq has issued a fresh security warning regarding potential attacks by pro-Iranian armed groups in central Baghdad within the next 24 to 48 hours.
The Operative Information Center-OMM reports that in a message released on April 2, the embassy once again urged US citizens to depart Iraq immediately. The warning highlights an increased risk of coordinated strikes against Western interests in the region.
"Iran and Iran-aligned terrorist groups have conducted large-scale attacks against US citizens and US-affiliated targets throughout Iraq, including the Kurdistan region. They may target US citizens, businesses, universities, diplomatic missions, energy infrastructure, hotels, airports, and other locations perceived to be associated with the United States. Terrorist militants have targeted Americans with the intent to kidnap. US citizens should depart Iraq immediately," the official statement read.
The alert follows a recent announcement by the US Department of State on April 1, offering a reward of up to $3 million for information regarding attacks on diplomatic missions in Iraq. This move underscores the heightened security posture as regional tensions escalate. Furthermore, reports indicate that American journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped in Baghdad on March 31, and the US government is currently working toward her release. The embassy has issued multiple evacuation warnings since late February following the onset of hostilities involving Iranian interests.
The security situation in Iraq remains volatile due to the presence of various paramilitary groups and the ongoing geopolitical friction between Washington and Tehran. Such travel advisories are standard procedure for the State Department when credible intelligence suggests a specific threat to personnel or private citizens abroad. These measures aim to mitigate risks in environments where diplomatic facilities and international infrastructure are frequently subjected to asymmetric threats.
