The Turkish Embassy in Baghdad has issued a formal travel warning to its citizens regarding Iraq, citing heightened security risks and urging individuals to avoid traveling to the country unless absolutely necessary.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports, citing Haber Global, that the advisory comes amid a rapidly deteriorating security environment. Turkish citizens currently in Iraq or planning to visit are advised to exercise maximum caution and maintain a high level of personal security awareness. Specifically, the embassy has instructed citizens to avoid the following high-risk areas:
- Crowded public squares and gathering places;
- Areas surrounding the "Green Zone" in Baghdad where protests are frequently held;
- Baghdad and Erbil international airports and their immediate vicinities;
- Locations and open spaces frequently visited by third-country nationals;
- Mosul and its surrounding settlements, as well as regions around Basra;
- All military zones and critical infrastructure facilities, such as oil fields, across Iraq.
The official statement further reminded citizens that Iraqi airspace remains closed to flights due to ongoing regional conflicts. It was emphasized that under the current circumstances, the airspace is not expected to reopen until at least March 16.
This travel advisory reflects the ongoing volatility in the Middle East, where security conditions can shift abruptly due to geopolitical tensions and internal civil unrest. Turkey frequently updates its travel guidance for neighboring countries to ensure the safety of its nationals abroad. The inclusion of major hubs like Erbil and Basra in the warning highlights the broad geographical scope of the current security concerns within the Republic of Iraq.
