The United States Embassy in Iraq on Tuesday directed its non-essential staff to leave the country, citing heightened security concerns as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East.
In an updated travel advisory, the mission said the move was taken “due to security reasons,” underscoring growing fears about the safety of American personnel in the region.
The embassy further announced that US government workers stationed in Baghdad are barred from using the city’s international airport because of potential threats.
The restriction is part of broader precautionary measures aimed at limiting exposure to possible attacks or unrest.
In a related development, State Department official Mora Namdar issued a stark warning to American citizens across the region, urging them to “DEPART NOW” from multiple countries.
The strong wording reflects Washington’s concern over what it described as serious and rapidly evolving security risks.
The updated advisory spans more than a dozen countries, including Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the occupied West Bank and Gaza, as well as Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
Officials say the sweeping alert follows escalating regional instability, including threats to diplomatic missions, airports and energy infrastructure.
While no specific incident was cited in the latest notice, US authorities stressed that the situation remains fluid and urged Americans to closely monitor official updates and prioritize their safety.
