Iraq Travel Warning

The Department of State continues to strongly warn U.S. citizens against travel to Iraq, which remains very dangerous.  Remnants of the former Ba’ath regime, transnational terrorists, criminal elements and numerous insurgent groups remain active.  Attacks against military and civilian targets throughout Iraq continue, including in the International (or “Green”) Zone.  Targets include convoys en-route to venues, hotels, restaurants, police stations, checkpoints, foreign diplomatic missions, international organizations and other locations with expatriate personnel.  These attacks have resulted in deaths and injuries of American citizens, including those doing humanitarian work.  In addition, there have been planned and random killings, as well as extortions and kidnappings.  U.S. citizens have been kidnapped and several were subsequently murdered by terrorists in Iraq.  U.S. citizens and other foreigners continue to be targeted by insurgent groups and opportunistic criminals for kidnapping and murder.  Military operations continue.  There are daily attacks against Multinational Forces - Iraq (MNF-I), Iraqi Security Forces and Iraqi Police throughout the country.

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There is credible information that terrorists are targeting civil aviation.  Civilian and military aircraft arriving at and departing from Baghdad International Airport for other major cities in Iraq have been subjected to small arms and missiles.  Civilian aircraft do not generally possess systems, such as those found on military aircraft, capable of defeating man-portable, surface-to-air missiles (MANPADS).  Anyone choosing to utilize civilian aircraft to enter or depart or travel within Iraq should be aware of this potential threat, as well as the extremely high risk to road transportation described below.  As a result of a recent security incident at the Baghdad International Airport (BIAP), the U.S. Embassy is prohibiting all U.S. government employees from departing BIAP on commercial airlines until further notice.

All vehicular travel in Iraq is extremely dangerous.  There have been numerous attacks on civilian vehicles, as well as military convoys.  Attacks occur throughout the day, but travel at night is exceptionally dangerous.  Travel in or through Ramadi and Fallujah; in and between al-Hillah, al-Basrah, Kirkuk, and Baghdad; between the International Zone and Baghdad International Airport; and from Baghdad to Mosul is particularly dangerous.

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Occasionally, U.S. Government personnel are prohibited from traveling to certain areas depending on prevailing security conditions.  There continues to be heavy use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), (especially new-type Explosively Formed Penetrators (EFP), and/or mines on roads, concealed in plastic bags, boxes, soda cans, dead animals, and in other ways to blend with the road.  Grenades and explosives have been thrown into vehicles from overpasses, particularly in crowded areas.  Overland travel should be undertaken only when absolutely necessary and with the appropriate security.

The U.S. Embassy is located in the International Zone.  The Embassy can provide only limited emergency services to U.S. citizens in Iraq.  At present, travel to and from the International Zone is extremely limited.  The U.S. Embassy does not provide visa services to the general public.  American citizens who choose to visit or reside in Iraq despite this Travel Warning are urged to pay close attention to their personal security, avoid crowds, especially rallies or demonstrations, and to inform the U.S. Embassy of their presence in Iraq.  All Americans in Baghdad are strongly encouraged to register with the Embassy at the following website:  https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/home.asp.

American citizens may obtain the latest security information or other information about Iraq by calling the U.S. Embassy, located in the International Zone, via landline at: 1-240-553-0584 x5340 or x5346, via Iraqna cellular phones at 07901-732-134 or 07901-168-383, via e-mail to usconsulbaghdad@state.gov  The after-hours number in case of extreme emergency is 1-914-822-5493.

Updated information on travel and security in Iraq may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, or, from overseas, 1-202-501-4444.  For further information, please consult the Consular Information Sheet for Iraq, the current Worldwide Caution and the Middle East and North Africa Public Announcements, all of which are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.

For Information About How to Protect Yourself, Your Family, Your Employees, and Your Trips Abroad,
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