BAGHDAD, IRAQ – MARCH 28: Iraqi Shiite armed groups stage a military display as part of the ‘World Quds Day’ activities in Baghdad, Iraq on March 28, 2025. (Photo by Ahmed Labib/Anadolu via Getty Images)Anadolu via Getty Images
American authorities have disseminated a fresh warning to U.S. citizens still situated in Iraq, urging their immediate departure from the nation, as Iraqi militant factions associated with Iran may "plan to execute assaults" in downtown Baghdad.
"U.S. citizens should evacuate Iraq without delay," declared the notice released on Thursday by the United States Embassy and Consulate in Iraq, which has previously issued alerts for Americans to leave the country because of security concerns.
The recent warning emerges as the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran has progressed into its second month.
The security bulletin also surfaced just days after an American reporter, Shelly Kittleson, was abducted in plain sight on a bustling thoroughfare in Baghdad, reportedly by a militant group linked to Iran.
Iraqi Shiite armed groups stage a military display as part of the ‘World Quds Day’ activities in Baghdad, Iraq, March 28, 2025.Anadolu via Getty Images
"Iraqi terrorist armed groups with ties to Iran may have intentions to launch attacks in central Baghdad within the next 24-48 hours," the U.S. Embassy's alert stated.
The embassy's declaration further noted that Iran and Iranian-aligned militant organizations have already implemented "extensive assaults against U.S. citizens and objectives connected to the United States throughout Iraq, including the Iraqi Kurdistan Region."
The warning advised Americans to be cognizant that militia groups "might assert affiliation with the Iraqi government."
BAGHDAD, IRAQ – MARCH 28: Iraqi Shiite armed groups stage a military display as part of the ‘World Quds Day’ activities in Baghdad, Iraq on March 28, 2025. (Photo by Ahmed Labib/Anadolu via Getty Images)Anadolu via Getty Images
"Terrorists could possess credentials indicating their status as Iraqi government workers," according to the alert.
Besides U.S. citizens, terrorist groups might also target enterprises, universities, diplomatic missions, energy infrastructure, hotels, airports, and "other sites considered to be linked with the United States," as per the alert.
While advising U.S. citizens to promptly depart the nation, U.S. authorities also stated that the only exit routes from Iraq are by land to Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, given that the airspace is restricted, hindering commercial airlines from flying out of Iraq.
"Local road transport options are operational. Americans should leave immediately via one of these overland routes," according to the alert.
For the moment, the U.S. Mission in Iraq is still operational. However, the alert cautioned Americans against going there.
"Do not try to go to the Embassy in Baghdad or the Consulate General in Erbil because of considerable security risks," the alert indicated.
The pursuit of Kittleson, 49, a freelance journalist originally from Wisconsin, persisted on Thursday, according to the Iraqi Ministry of Interior.
"We have no response or clarification," the interior ministry conveyed in a statement on Thursday concerning Kittleson's abduction.
In a security camera recording validated by ABC News and verified by Iraq's interior ministry as showing the moment Kittleson was kidnapped on Tuesday, the journalist is seen standing on a pavement as a silver vehicle approaches before she is pulled toward the car, which then swiftly drives away.
One individual suspected to be implicated in the abduction was apprehended when one of the vehicles escaping the scene crashed and overturned, according to Iraq's interior ministry. Kittleson had been coerced into another vehicle that escaped.
Dylan Johnson, assistant secretary of state for global public affairs for the State Department, stated on Wednesday that the suspect has connections to the Iranian-aligned militia group Kataib Hezbollah.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com