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The United States Embassy in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, has warned that armed groups affiliated with Iran may attack Baghdad in the coming days.
Strikes targeting US interests and pro-Iran groups have struck Iraq, pulling it into the ongoing escalation between the US, Israel and Iran, which has ensued for a month.
The US embassy in Baghdad, located in the centre of the city, has been repeatedly targeted, and on Thursday, it warned of more attacks in central parts of the capital in a statement shared on X.
Security Alert – U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq – April 2, 2026
Location: Iraq
Iraqi terrorist militia groups aligned with Iran may intend to conduct attacks in central Baghdad in the next 24-48 hours. Iran and Iran-aligned terrorist militias have conducted widespread attacks…— U.S. Embassy Baghdad (@USEmbBaghdad) April 2, 2026
“Iraqi terrorist militia groups aligned with Iran may intend to conduct attacks in central Baghdad in the next 24-48 hours. Iran and Iran-aligned terrorist militias have conducted widespread attacks against U.S. citizens and targets associated with the United States throughout Iraq, including in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR). ” the embassy said in a statement on X.
Security sources told AFP that at least 30 drones targeted the Erbil and Duhok governorates overnight, but there were no casualties reported.
AFP reported that the frequency of attacks in Iraq has decreased in recent days after the influential pro-Iran group Kateab Hezbollah declared a pause on March 19, which was twice extended. But the group did not announce a further extension on Wednesday night after its latest pause expired.
US and Iraqi officials said they would strengthen cooperation to ward off attacks in March.
In a statement shared by the US embassy on Thursday, it claimed that the Iraqi government has not prevented terrorist attacks in or from Iraqi territory, adding that Iran-aligned terrorist militia groups may claim to be associated with the Iraqi government.
“They may intend to target U.S. citizens, businesses, universities, diplomatic facilities, energy infrastructure, hotels, airports, and other locations perceived to be associated with the United States, as well as Iraqi institutions and civilian targets. Terrorist militias have targeted Americans for kidnapping. U.S. citizens should leave Iraq now,” the statement read.
The US advised its citizens in Iraq to leave the country immediately. An American journalist, who was identified by her employer and media advocacy groups as Shelly Kittleson, was abducted in Baghdad.
A man has been detained in connection with the American journalist’s abduction. According to an Iraqi security official who spoke with AFP, the suspect had links to Kataeb Hezbollah, a US-designated anti-American Shiite militia operating in Iraq with ancillary operations in Syria.
