The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad issued an urgent security alert on April 2 warning that Iran-aligned Iraqi militias “may intend to carry out attacks in central Baghdad within the next 24–48 hours” and urging all U.S. citizens to depart Iraq while commercial options remain. The Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for Iraq has been in place for years, but Thursday’s notice is unusually stark: officials cite possible kidnappings, missile strikes and assaults on hotels, universities, energy infrastructure and diplomatic facilities. The embassy stressed that even identification as Iraqi government personnel may not guarantee safety, as some militants hold official documents. Corporate-security teams with staff at Baghdad International Airport, Basra’s energy corridor and Erbil’s tech parks moved quickly to trigger evacuation plans. Several oil-field service contractors confirmed they are chartering flights to Dubai and Amman for U.S. technicians. The alert comes as regional tensions escalate following Iranian missile volleys across the Gulf and U.S. retaliatory strikes. Multinational firms with operations in Iraq—and travelers transiting through the country—should review insurance coverage, ensure satellite-phone redundancy and register itineraries with the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. U.S. nationals unable to leave were advised to avoid Western-branded hotels, vary routes, maintain a low profile and prepare emergency shelter locations. Employers face heightened duty-of-care obligations and may need to shift assignments to neighboring countries until the threat subsides.
Source: AOL News
