The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad advised Americans in a security alert to not travel at all to Iraq.
While short on details, the embassy alert “advises all U.S. citizens of heightened tensions in Iraq and the requirement to remain vigilant.”
“Do not travel to Iraq,” the alert continues. “Avoid places known as U.S. citizen gathering points. Keep a low profile. Be aware of your surroundings.”
On April 9, the State Department issued a red “do not travel” advisory for Iraq “due to terrorism, kidnapping, and armed conflict.”
“U.S. citizens in Iraq are at high risk for violence and kidnapping. Numerous terrorist and insurgent groups are active in Iraq and regularly attack both Iraqi security forces and civilians. Anti-U.S. sectarian militias may also threaten U.S. citizens and Western companies throughout Iraq. Attacks by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) occur frequently in many areas of the country, including Baghdad,” said the advisory.
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad is still handling operations acquired when the U.S. Consulate General in Basra was temporarily shuttered on Oct. 18, 2018.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and/or a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) warning civilian aviation of the threats flying within or in the vicinity of Iraq.