US warns Americans not travel to Iraq due to ‘terrorism,’ general insecurity

The US State Department on Saturday warned its citizens not to travel to Iraq, citing the threat of terrorist groups and abductions in the country as a risk to Americans traveling in the region.

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The US State Department on Saturday warned its citizens not to travel to Iraq, citing the threat of terrorist groups and abductions in the country as a risk to Americans traveling in the region.

“U.S. citizens in Iraq are at high risk for violence and kidnapping. Numerous terrorist and insurgent groups are active in Iraq and regularly attack both Iraqi security forces and civilians,” a statement by the US State Department read.

“Anti-U.S. sectarian militias may also threaten U.S. citizens and Western companies throughout Iraq.  Attacks by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) occur frequently in many areas of the country, including Baghdad.”

The Bureau of Consular Affairs also mentioned that the US government’s ability to provide routine and emergency services to its citizens in Iraq is “extremely limited.”

Although Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared final victory over the Islamic State (IS) last December, the jihadist group continues to carry out insurgent attacks, ambushes, and kidnapping in the country.

The jihadist attacks have mostly concentrated in the provinces of Kirkuk, Diyala, Salahuddin, and Baghdad.

Over the past few months, commanders of the Iranian-backed Shia Hashd al-Shaabi militia, known as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), have also repeatedly threatened to target US troops in Iraq.

Consular Affairs also warned US citizens not to travel through Iraq to Syria to engage in armed conflict, “where they would face extreme personal risks (kidnapping, injury, or death) and legal risks (arrest, fines, and expulsion).”

“The Kurdistan Regional Government stated that it will impose prison sentences of up to ten years on individuals who illegally cross the border.  Additionally, fighting on behalf of, or supporting designated terrorist organizations, is a crime that can result in penalties, including prison time and large fines in the United States,” the statement added.

Editing by Nadia Riva