State Department Issues Urgent Travel Advisory: Americans Warned Against Traveling to Iraq Amidst Escalating Attacks and Rising Tensions

The US State Department has issued a travel advisory urging American citizens not to travel to Iraq due to recent attacks on American troops and personnel in the region. The advisory cites terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, civil unrest, and the limited capacity of Mission Iraq to provide support to US citizens as reasons for the warning. This comes as there has been a spike in attacks against US forces in Iraq and Syria, particularly since the conflict between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza broke out. Last week, a US warship successfully shot down more than a dozen drones and four cruise missiles fired by Iranian-backed Houthis from Yemen.

As a result of increased security threats against US personnel and interests, eligible family members and non-emergency US government personnel have been ordered to depart from US Embassy Baghdad and US Consulate General Erbil. The tensions in the region have been further heightened by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which began after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of over 1,400 people. In response, Israel has conducted deadly airstrikes on Gaza, a strip of land that is part of the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories and home to 2.3 million people, under the political rule of Hamas since 2006.

Palestinian officials claim that Israel's airstrikes have killed over 4,700 people. Due to security concerns, US government personnel in Baghdad have been instructed not to use Baghdad International Airport. In an effort to address the escalating tensions in the region, the United States has deployed a significant amount of naval power to the Middle East, including two aircraft carriers, support ships, and approximately 2,000 Marines. Additionally, the US Pentagon announced plans to send a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and additional Patriot air defense missile system battalions to the Middle East.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin have expressed concerns about a potential escalation in attacks on American troops in the Middle East and Iran's intentions to widen the conflict. As a result, Washington remains on high alert for activity from Iran-backed groups in the region. The safety and security of US citizens and interests in Iraq and the Middle East continue to be closely monitored and prioritized by the US government.