9 hours ago
US Embassy urges citizens to flee Iraq via land borders amid growing crisis
Baghdad ( – In its starkest warning yet amidst spiraling regional tensions, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad is urging its citizens to leave Iraq immediately, providing detailed instructions for overland escape routes to Turkey and Kuwait. The advisory comes as the embassy evacuates non-essential staff and suspends routine services.
The directive paints a grim picture, reiterating the nation's highest Level 4: 'Do Not Travel' advisory and warning of an 'increased potential for violence' targeting American citizens and Western-frequented locations. This follows the major military exchanges between Iran, Israel, and the United States, placing Iraq in a precarious position.
While the embassy remains open on high alert for emergency U.S. citizen services, all routine visa operations have been halted. The advisory details specific procedures for those fleeing by land, instructing citizens to email their passport details and travel plans to the U.S. Embassies in Ankara or Kuwait before attempting to cross. Travelers heading to Kuwait are explicitly warned to 'expect long delays,' signaling a potentially difficult exodus.
This urgent guidance transforms the embassy from a diplomatic hub into a coordination point for departure, reflecting a clear and present danger perceived by U.S. officials on the ground.
