US Embassy tells Americans to leave Iraq ‘as soon as they are safely able to do so’

BAGHDAD — The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad urged American citizens in Iraq to depart “as soon as they are safely able to do so” on Wednesday, as the State Department ordered non-emergency government personnel to leave the country.

“If safe to do so, Americans should leave Iraq now,” the alert said. Those unable to depart were advised to shelter in place, remain indoors and “stay away from windows.”

The State Department ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees to leave Iraq on March 2, the embassy said. Mission personnel remain under shelter-in-place conditions.

The embassy warned of violent unrest in Baghdad. “There are ongoing riots, protests, and other demonstrations against the United States, especially on the south bank of the July 14th Bridge and Tahrir Square in Baghdad,” the alert said, adding that “these riots have been violent, and there are calls for additional demonstrations throughout Iraq.”

The advisory comes as drone and missile attacks continue across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Air defense systems in Erbil have intercepted drones targeting the U.S. Consulate and Erbil Air Base, projectiles have struck Iranian Kurdish opposition bases in Koya, and a suspected drone strike was reported near Baghdad International Airport. Kuwait summoned Iraq’s chargé d’affaires Wednesday over attacks launched from Iraqi territory by armed factions, while demonstrations against the United States have continued near Baghdad’s diplomatic district.