US Embassy in Baghdad tells American citizens to leave Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and the Consulate General in Erbil have advised American citizens to depart the country, citing the potential for rapidly changing security conditions in the region. The State Department urged U.S. nationals to review their travel plans and remain alert to local developments. U.S. officials also authorized the ordered departure of family members of embassy personnel from Iraq. The decision was attributed to heightened military activity in the region and what officials described as possible security risks, though no specific threat was named in the advisory. The call to leave comes as the United States has expanded its military footprint across the Gulf and surrounding areas. American citizens were also directed to follow the U.S. missions in Baghdad and Erbil on social media for updated security information. The advisory did not specify a timeline for departure, and no further details on the scope of the evacuation order were immediately available.