US Embassy warns of imminent attack threat in central Baghdad

BAGHDAD — The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad warned Thursday that Iran-aligned militia groups may carry out attacks in central Baghdad within the next 24 to 48 hours, urging American citizens to leave Iraq immediately.

The embassy said the groups “may intend to target U.S. citizens, businesses, universities, diplomatic facilities, energy infrastructure, hotels, airports, and other locations perceived to be associated with the United States,” as well as Iraqi institutions and civilian targets.

In a notable warning, the embassy said some attackers may present themselves as Iraqi government personnel. “Iran-aligned terrorist militia groups may claim to be associated with the Iraqi government. Terrorists may carry identification denoting their status as Iraqi government employees,” it said, adding that “the Iraqi government has not prevented terrorist attacks in or from Iraqi territory.”

The alert reiterated the State Department’s Level 4 Do Not Travel designation for Iraq and its standing call for Americans to leave the country immediately.

The warning comes two days after American journalist Shelly Kittleson was abducted near the Palestine Hotel on Saadoun Street in central Baghdad by an armed group in black uniforms, according to a security source who spoke to 964media.