U.S. Embassy in Iraq warns of kidnapping risk and urges Americans to leave

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published March 11, 2026

Latest news on WhatsApp أجدد الأخبار على واتساب

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad has warned American citizens in Iraq that they face a risk of kidnapping and should leave the country as soon as it is safe to do so, in the latest sign of worsening threats to U.S. nationals and interests there. The warning comes as the State Department continues to place Iraq under its highest "Do Not Travel" advisory because of terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict and civil unrest, while also citing the U.S. government’s limited ability to provide emergency services inside the country.

The alert points to a broader security picture rather than a single isolated threat. The embassy said previous attacks had targeted U.S. citizens, U.S.-linked facilities, American businesses and hotels frequented by foreigners. Reuters also reported earlier this week that Washington warned Iran-aligned militias in Iraq could seek to hit hotels used by foreigners in the Kurdistan region as the United States tried to assist stranded citizens across the Middle East.

The warning carries added weight because it follows a Katyusha rocket attack near the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on March 7, the first such strike on the compound in more than two years, according to Reuters. The news agency reported that one rocket was intercepted and that there were no American casualties. U.S. guidance says Americans who remain in Iraq should be prepared to shelter in place for extended periods and keep food, water, medication and other essentials on hand, underscoring that this is no longer just a routine travel advisory but a direct security warning.