![CORRECTION / A fire burns outside the grounds of the US Embassy headquarters in Baghdad's fortified "Green Zone" on March 17, 2026 following a drone and rocket attack according to security officials. The strikes came hours after air defences thwarted a rocket attack at the embassy and a drone sparked a fire at a luxury hotel frequented by foreign diplomats in the Green Zone. Iraq was drawn into the Middle East war after having long been a proxy battleground between the US and Iran, with strikes targeting Iran-backed groups that have claimed daily attacks on US interests in Iraq and across the region. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP via Getty Images) / "The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [outside the grounds] instead of [on the grounds]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require."](https://www.constitutionpatriots.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/US-citizens-should-leave-immediately-possible-terrorism-in-Baghdad-over.jpg)
OAN Staff Addie Davis
4:37 PM – Thursday, April 2, 2026
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad issued an urgent security alert to Americans in the region on Thursday following reports that Iran-aligned terrorist groups may be planning attacks in central Baghdad within the next 24 to 48 hours.
“Iraqi terrorist militia groups aligned with Iran may intend to conduct attacks in central Baghdad in the next 24-48 hours,” the Embassy stated. “U.S. citizens should leave Iraq now.”
Iran and Iran-aligned terrorist groups have conducted attacks on U.S. citizens and targets associated with the U.S. throughout Iraq, the embassy explained. It stated their may be intention to target U.S. citizens, businesses and institutions linked to the U.S., as well as Iraqi institutions and civilian targets, also warning that Americans have been targeted for kidnapping by terrorist militias.
“The Iraqi government has not prevented terrorist attacks in or from Iraqi territory,” the embassy continued, noting that terrorist militias may claim to be associated with the Iraqi government and carry government employee identification.
Though they are still assisting U.S. citizens, embassy and consulate staff are on ordered departure due to the heightened situation, and Americans were warned not to attempt to go to the Embassy in Baghdad or the consulate in Erbil. Instead, they should contact it by email.
The Embassy reminded travelers that commercial flights are not operating from the Middle Eastern country and its airspace is closed. Land borders with neighboring countries — such as Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey — remain open, although flights are not available from all of them.
Iraq has been on the “Level 4: Do Not Travel” designation by the U.S. Department of State for years. The recent conflict with Iran, however, led to the order that non-emergency U.S. government employees leave the country.
On February 28th, the U.S., in partnership with Israel, launched strikes on Iran through Operation Epic Fury, with the current number of targets struck standing at over 9,000, according to U.S. Central Command. In response, Iran launched a slew of retaliatory attacks across the region, including strikes against the U.S. embassy in Baghdad last month.
President Donald Trump recently estimated that the military campaign could end within the next two to three weeks.
Additionally, this week, an American journalist, Shelly Kittleson, was abducted in Baghdad, with one of the suspects being connected to an Iranian-backed militia group, according to U.S. and Iraqi officials.
Stay informed! Receive breaking news alerts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
What do YOU think? Click here to jump to the comments!
Sponsored Content Below
