US Embassy renews call for Americans to leave Iraq

BAGHDAD — The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad renewed its call Thursday for all American citizens to leave Iraq immediately, warning that Iran-aligned militias continue to pose a significant threat and that the risk of missiles, drones and rockets in Iraqi airspace remains acute.

“Iran-aligned terrorist militias have conducted widespread attacks on U.S. citizens and targets associated with the United States throughout Iraq, including the Iraqi Kurdistan Region,” the embassy said. “U.S. citizens should leave Iraq now.”

The alert warned against approaching either the Baghdad embassy or the Erbil consulate general, and reiterated the State Department’s Level 4 Do Not Travel designation — its most severe. It said militant groups have attacked and could further target U.S. diplomatic sites, businesses, energy infrastructure and locations frequented by foreigners, and warned that “terrorist militias may attempt to kidnap Americans.”

The embassy said it remains open under ordered departure status to assist citizens, but stressed that Americans choosing to remain “are doing so at significant risk.”

The alert comes as diplomatic and military sites across Iraq have faced a sustained wave of attacks since the regional war began Feb. 28. The embassy compound has been struck multiple times. The Al-Rasheed Hotel, housing the Saudi embassy and the EU Advisory Mission, was hit by a drone. The UAE Consulate General in Erbil was targeted twice in a week. NATO completed the withdrawal of all its personnel from Iraq on March 20. Iraq has filed a complaint with the UN Security Council and summoned the U.S. chargé d’affaires following consecutive strikes on Habbaniyah base that killed 22 military personnel over two days.