The US State Department has ordered its employees to “mandatorily leave” Iraq.
The US State Department has ordered its employees to “mandatorily leave” Iraq.
2026-03-03
The U.S. State Department updated its travel warning for Iraq again on Tuesday, emphasizing the “mandatory departure” of non-essential U.S. personnel from the U.S. mission in Iraq, and noting the possibility of closing land border crossings in Iraq at any moment. The State Department said in a statement that “the U.S. Department of State updated its travel warning for Iraq on March 3, 2026, to reflect the State Department’s order for the departure of non-essential U.S. government personnel from Iraq due to security risks. The travel warning level for Iraq remains at Level 4 – Do Not Travel.”
She added: “U.S. citizens currently in Iraq are advised to leave the country as soon as they can safely do so. Iraqi authorities may close and reopen airspace at short notice. Please contact your airlines for the latest flight information.” She continued, “Roads are currently open. If you choose to travel within the region, you are responsible for your own safety and security. We strongly urge you to assess the risks before traveling. Border crossings may close at any time without notice, and airspace in neighboring countries may also be closed. Please check the website of the country you intend to travel to for the latest updates. Local entry and exit requirements apply.”
She also noted that “Iranian-backed militias still pose a major threat to public security, and anyone considering traveling by land should be aware of the risks of continued attacks by missiles, drones and rockets, as well as calls for demonstrations across the country.”
It confirmed that “the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and the Consulate General in Erbil have suspended routine consular services, and Iraqi authorities have closed the International Zone in central Baghdad, with limited exceptions. Please do not attempt to go to the Embassy in Baghdad or the Consulate General in Erbil under the heightened security measures.”
She explained that “American citizens who choose to remain in the country and not leave should prepare alternative contingency plans. These plans should not rely on assistance from the United States government for departure or evacuation. The necessary actions are: American citizens who wish to leave should take advantage of available commercial transportation options. If you choose to remain in Iraq, be prepared to stay where you are for extended periods if necessary. Prepare an emergency contingency plan and review the Traveler Guidance List. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at step.state.gov to receive important information from the Embassy regarding health and safety in Iraq. Prepare an emergency departure plan that does not rely on assistance from the United States government. Review the information we provide about crises and evacuations. Follow the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.”
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