Washington talks about attacks by "Iranian" groups in Iraq

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad called on U.S. citizens in Iraq to leave immediately, warning of serious and direct security threats targeting Americans and U.S.-related sites in the capital and the Kurdistan Region.

In a statement on Tuesday,  May 5, 2026, the embassy confirmed that the alert level is still at the fourth level of "Do Not Travel", which is the highest warning level issued by the US Department of State, and despite the mandatory departure order, the US mission confirmed the continuation of its operations inside Iraq with the aim of providing support to US citizens.

The embassy also warned against trying to go to its headquarters in Baghdad or to the US consulate in Erbil, stressing that unnecessary movements could expose individuals to great risks, in light of the continued security tensions and the increase in the frequency of drone and missile attacks in various parts of the country.

The situation in Iraq is unstable and subject to rapid deterioration, the embassy said, noting that Iranian-backed armed groups are planning additional attacks that could target U.S. interests or sites frequented by U.S. citizens.

Additional Measures for U.S. Citizens

The embassy called on Americans who cannot leave immediately to take "the utmost caution," avoid non-essential movements, stay away from gatherings and sensitive areas, and stay in constant contact with the embassy through consular registration systems.

It stressed that U.S. citizens should leave the country immediately via available commercial flights or through land routes to Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, or Turkey.

The new warning is one of the most severe warnings issued by the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad in years, and reflects Washington's growing concern about the deteriorating security situation in Iraq and the potential for an expanded circle of targeting against Americans.

Repeated attacks on US sites in Iraq

During  2026, Iraqi armed groups launched large-scale attacks on U.S. sites and U.S.-linked targets in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, especially via drones and missiles.

In mid-March, these groups carried out a series of drone attacks on U.S. positions in Baghdad, including a diplomatic site that housed radar and defense systems, as well as simultaneous attacks on Erbil and Sulaimaniyah, where a number of drones were intercepted and others hit Peshmerga headquarters and targets close to Western diplomatic sites.  

From late February to the end of March, local and international monitoring organizations documented 100 attacks in the Kurdistan Region alone, targeting the U.S. consulate in Erbil, military bases housing U.S. troops, and logistical and security sites linked to the U.S. presence.

Tensions escalate, US warnings return

The new warning comes as an extension of a series of warnings during 2026 that the United States started on March 1, followed by 4 warnings, the latest of which was today, May 5, which included orders to leave non-essential personnel from the diplomatic mission, and to raise the alert level to the maximum degree. 

These warnings coincided with the escalation of tension between the United States and Iran, and the increase in armed activity inside Iraq against American bases, as Baghdad and Erbil have witnessed repeated drone attacks in recent weeks, some of which targeted areas near diplomatic facilities or military bases, prompting Washington to strengthen its security measures and reassess its diplomatic presence in the country.

Western security reports indicate that Iraq is witnessing a "sensitive phase" with the increasing prospects of regional escalation, especially after Iranian threats to target US interests in response to military operations in the region, as Washington fears that Iraq will turn into an open arena of confrontation, making the presence of its citizens unsafe.