Since the outbreak of the war, the US Embassy in Baghdad has been urging American citizens to leave Iraq. But on Saturday, the embassy adopted a more urgent tone, telling Americans they should leave Iraq now.
The US Embassy in Baghdad issued a statement on the official website of the US Embassy in Iraq, stating that the terror militias allied with Iran have been inciting and carrying out indiscriminate attacks against American citizens and US-related targets in Iraq. “American citizens should leave Iraq now.”
“Given the significant threat posed by the Iran-backed terror militias, the US State Department strongly advises American citizens who choose to stay in Iraq to reconsider,” the statement said.
The US Embassy also said that Iran and its supported terror militias pose a significant threat to public security in Iraq. Attacks targeting American citizens, US interests, and critical infrastructure have been frequent. These organizations have attacked US diplomatic facilities, American businesses, US-operated energy infrastructure, and have threatened to continue targeting these objectives.
Earlier on Saturday, the Associated Press reported that a missile struck the helicopter pad at the Baghdad Embassy, causing billowing smoke at the scene. The Baghdad Embassy has been a target of attacks by Iraqi militias since the war erupted.
The Baghdad Embassy warned American citizens not to visit the embassy or the US Consulate General in Erbil.
The Embassy reiterated the US’s Level 4 travel advisory for Iraq: “Do not travel.” American citizens are advised that due to terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, civil unrest, and the limited ability of the US government to provide emergency services to American citizens in Iraq, they should not travel to Iraq under any circumstances. If you are already in Iraq, leave now.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and will keep you informed of the latest developments so that you can make decisions about your own safety. If you wish to leave Iraq, the US government is ready to assist you and provide the latest information on departure options available to you,” the Embassy added. Currently, there are no commercial flights departing from Iraq, but American citizens can use land routes via Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.