Security Alert – U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq (September 8, 2018) Location: Baghdad, Basrah Event: The United States Mission in Iraq is restricting its movements during the month of Muharram, particularly around the commemoration of Ashura, on Tuesday, September 18 through Friday, September 21 due to expected road closures and unpredictable crowds. In addition, some protests ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 9 September, 2018 | Topics:
Alert, Security & Emergency Messages
On Wednesday, January 10, 2018, the Department of State will make changes to our safety and security information to make it easier to find, understand, and use. Travel Advisories will replace Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts. Every country will have a Travel Advisory, which will provide one of four standard levels of advice. The Travel ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 4 January, 2018 | Topics:
Security & Emergency Messages
U.S. Mission Iraq advises its citizens that protests in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region turned violent on December 18 and 19, leading to deaths and injuries. Unrelated demonstrations have also recently occurred elsewhere throughout Iraq, including its southern provinces. U.S. citizens are reminded that any peaceful protest has the potential to quickly escalate into violence. As ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 20 December, 2017 | Topics:
Alert, Security & Emergency Messages
The U.S. Embassy is expanding its temporary movement restriction to include movements both inside and outside the international zone in response to the recent announcement that the United States recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. As a reminder, U.S. citizens should maintain a heightened sense of security awareness and take appropriate measures to enhance ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 8 December, 2017 | Topics:
Alert, Security & Emergency Messages
The recent announcement that the United States recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel may spark violent protests. In response, the U.S. Embassy has temporarily restricted movement of its employees outside of the international zone in Baghdad. As a reminder, U.S. citizens should maintain a heightened sense of security awareness and take appropriate measures to ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 7 December, 2017 | Topics:
Security & Emergency Messages
The recent announcement that the United States recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the plans to relocate the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem may spark protests, some of which have the potential to become violent. U.S. Embassy Baghdad reminds U.S. citizens of the need for caution and awareness of personal security. ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 6 December, 2017 | Topics:
Alert, Security & Emergency Messages
U.S. Mission Iraq has received credible threat information that the Baghdad Mall may be the target of a terrorist attack. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid the Baghdad Mall. As a reminder, U.S. citizens should maintain a heightened sense of security awareness and take appropriate measures to enhance their personal security at all times when ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 2 November, 2017 | Topics:
Alert, Security & Emergency Messages
U.S. Mission Iraq advises its citizens that the Iraqi Security Forces have secured areas in and around Kirkuk City, and other locations formerly under the control of the Kurdistan Regional Government security forces. The security situation is currently stable but could quickly change. U.S. citizens are advised to remain vigilant about their security situation and ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 18 October, 2017 | Topics:
Security & Emergency Messages
U.S. Mission Iraq advises its citizens that the Government of Iraq launched security operations in the vicinity of Kirkuk City. U.S. citizens located in these areas who are unable or unwilling to depart are advised to shelter in place. As a reminder, U.S. citizens should maintain a heightened sense of security awareness and take appropriate ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 16 October, 2017 | Topics:
Alert, Security & Emergency Messages, U.S. Embassy in Baghdad
U.S. Mission Iraq advises its citizens that effective October 8, the Government of Turkey has suspended visa services to United States citizens, to include the issuance of physical “sticker” visas at border posts and the online Turkish electronic visa (e-visa). U.S. citizens should not attempt to transit the Turkish/Iraqi land border without a valid ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 10 October, 2017 | Topics:
Security & Emergency Messages
U.S. Mission Iraq advises its citizens in Iraq of the announced termination of international flight operations to and from Erbil and Sulaymaniyah airports effective 6:00 p.m. Friday, September 29, 2017. Please be advised that following the international flight cessation, Baghdad will be the closest international transit point from these airports. Therefore, if you are in ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 28 September, 2017 | Topics:
Security & Emergency Messages
September 27, 2017 U.S. Embassy Baghdad warns U.S. citizens in Iraq of the possibility of crowds and possible road closures throughout the country during the Ashura holiday, especially in and around neighborhoods and cities hosting Shia shrines. As a reminder, U.S. citizens should maintain a heightened sense of security awareness and take appropriate measures to ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 27 September, 2017 | Topics:
Alert, Security & Emergency Messages
U.S. Embassy Baghdad cautions U.S. citizens in Iraq that there may be unrest if the Kurdistan Regional government carries out an independence referendum on September 25. U.S. Mission Iraq will temporarily limit personnel movements as a precautionary measure. In particular, U.S. citizens should avoid travel into and within territories disputed between the Kurdish Regional Government ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 24 September, 2017 | Topics:
Alert, Security & Emergency Messages
As part of the Department of State’s continuous efforts to provide U.S. citizens traveling abroad with information about safety and security events, we are updating the Worldwide Caution with information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions, political violence, and criminal activity against U.S. citizens and interests abroad. This replaces the Worldwide Caution dated March ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 16 September, 2017 | Topics:
Security & Emergency Messages
Three rockets impacted in or near the International Zone (IZ) on September 14, 2017. As a reminder, the Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all travel to Iraq. Travel within Iraq remains very dangerous, and the ability of the Embassy to assist U.S. citizens facing difficulty is extremely limited. U.S. citizens should maintain a ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 14 September, 2017 | Topics:
Security & Emergency Messages
U.S. Embassy Baghdad is aware of reports of increased threats of attacks in Baghdad during the Eid Al-Adha holiday. In response, the U.S. Embassy has restricted movement of its employees from September 1 – 5 outside of the international zone in Baghdad. In addition, the U.S. Embassy is restricting movement of its employees on September ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 31 August, 2017 | Topics:
Alert, Security & Emergency Messages
U.S. Embassy Baghdad is aware of reports of threats to target U.S. government officials and other civilians for kidnapping. In response, the U.S. Embassy has temporarily restricted movement of its employees outside of the international zone in Baghdad, as well as outside of U.S. Consulate Basrah. As a reminder, U.S. citizens should maintain a heightened ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 9 August, 2017 | Topics:
Security & Emergency Messages
The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all travel to Iraq. Travel within Iraq remains very dangerous, and the ability of the Embassy to assist U.S. citizens facing difficulty is extremely limited. This supersedes the Travel Warning dated July 6, 2016. U.S. citizens in Iraq are at high risk for kidnapping and terrorist violence. ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 31 January, 2017 | Topics:
Messages for U.S. Citizens, Security & Emergency Messages
U.S. Embassy Baghdad has received reports of attempts to kidnap U.S. citizen nongovernmental organization staff riding in vehicle convoys to provide aid to Mosul, Iraq. Militants demanded to see passports for all travelers in convoys and searched specifically for U.S. citizens. As a reminder, U.S. citizens should maintain a heightened sense of security awareness and ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 26 October, 2016 | Topics:
Security & Emergency Messages
The U.S. Embassy in Iraq, noting the upcoming holidays in Iraq, to include Eid al-Adha, Islamic New Year, and Ashura, reminds all U.S. citizens of the inherent dangers of life in Iraq. Terrorists have chosen times around local holidays to set off bombs in crowded areas, including attacks in Baghdad in July and September of ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 11 September, 2016 | Topics:
Security & Emergency Messages
The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all travel to Iraq. Travel within Iraq remains very dangerous, and the ability of the Embassy to assist U.S. citizens facing difficulty is extremely limited. This supersedes the Travel Warning dated December 4, 2015. U.S. citizens in Iraq are at high risk for kidnapping and terrorist violence. ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 6 July, 2016 | Topics:
Security & Emergency Messages
The Department of State is updating the Worldwide Caution with information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world. Current information suggests that ISIL, al-Qa’ida, Boko Haram, al-Shabaab, and other terrorist groups continue to plan terrorist attacks in multiple regions. Recent terrorist attacks, whether by those ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 3 March, 2016 | Topics:
Security & Emergency Messages
The disruption of maintenance operations in 2014 increased the risk of the Mosul Dam collapsing. The Government of Iraq (GOI) is preparing to initiate emergency maintenance operations to reduce the risk of failure. A dam failure would cause significant flooding and interruption of essential services in low-lying areas along the Tigris River Valley from Mosul ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 29 February, 2016 | Topics:
Security & Emergency Messages
The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all but essential travel to Iraq. Travel within Iraq remains very dangerous given the security situation. The ability of the Embassy to assist U.S. citizens facing difficulty, including arrest, is extremely limited. Private U.S. citizens are strongly discouraged from traveling to Iraq to join in armed conflict. ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 4 December, 2015 | Topics:
Security & Emergency Messages
The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all but essential travel to Iraq. Travel within Iraq remains dangerous given the security situation. The ability of the Embassy to assist U.S. citizens facing difficulty, including arrest, is extremely limited. Private U.S. citizens are strongly discouraged from traveling to Iraq to join in armed conflict. The ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 19 October, 2015 | Topics:
Security & Emergency Messages
The Iraqi government has announced that beginning October 1, 2015, passenger cars will be allowed to transit the International Zone (IZ) in Baghdad from north to south via the 14 July Expressway and a new entry control point will be put in place at the northern end of this expressway. The U.S. Embassy recommends that ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 30 September, 2015 | Topics:
Security & Emergency Messages
The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all but essential travel to Iraq. Travel within Iraq remains dangerous given the security situation. The ability of the Embassy to assist U.S. citizens facing difficulty, including arrest, is extremely limited. Private U.S. citizens are strongly discouraged from traveling to Iraq to join in armed conflict. The ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 14 September, 2015 | Topics:
Security & Emergency Messages
The U.S. Consulate General in Erbil would like to notify U.S. citizens of credible threat reporting specific to public places in Erbil, Iraq. As a result, all off-compound movements of U.S. government personnel under the Chief of Mission at the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil will be limited on Friday, July 31, 2015 and Saturday, August 1, ...
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By U.S. Consulate in Erbil | 30 July, 2015 | Topics:
Security & Emergency Messages, U.S. Consulate in Erbil
The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all but essential travel to Iraq. Travel within Iraq remains dangerous given the security situation. The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all but essential travel to Iraq. Travel within Iraq remains dangerous given the security situation. U.S. citizens in Iraq remain at high risk for ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 22 June, 2015 | Topics:
Security & Emergency Messages
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad has received information indicating that a militant group was conducting surveillance activities in late May against foreign businesses and local companies with western association or that employed foreign workers in Basrah. There are no further details at this time regarding how the militant group planned to use this information. The ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 22 June, 2015 | Topics:
Security & Emergency Messages
The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all but essential travel to Iraq. Travel within Iraq remains dangerous given the security situation. The Embassy in Baghdad and the Consulates General in Basrah and Erbil are open and operating. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning dated August 10, 2014. U.S. citizens in Iraq remain ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 29 April, 2015 | Topics:
Security & Emergency Messages
As a result of an explosion on April 17, 2015 in the Ankawa neighborhood in Erbil, and the security presence in the immediate area, Consulate General Erbil will temporarily suspend visa services on Sunday, April 19, 2015. The Consulate expects to resume visa services on Monday, April 20, 2015. All visa applicants will be notified ...
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By U.S. Consulate in Erbil | 18 April, 2015 | Topics:
Security & Emergency Messages, U.S. Consulate in Erbil
The Department of State is updating the Worldwide Caution to provide information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world. Recent terrorist attacks, whether by those affiliated with terrorist entities, copycats, or individual perpetrators, serve as a reminder that U.S. citizens need to maintain a high ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Baghdad | 21 January, 2015 | Topics:
Security & Emergency Messages
