By John Lee. The US State Department has announced the end of Ordered Departure Status for personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and U.S. Consulate General in Erbil, effective July 17, 2025. Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce (pictured) stated that personnel who had been temporarily relocated outside Iraq will begin a phased return to their […]
By John Lee. The Iraqi Foreign Ministry has welcomed the United Kingdom's decision to downgrade Iraq's security classification, citing it as a key achievement reflecting improved security conditions and the government's efforts to promote stability. The change is expected to facilitate British companies' entry into the Iraqi market and reduce insurance costs for travel and […]
From the Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC): FCDO reviews and relaxes travel advice to Iraq The British Foreign and commonwealth office has relaxed its advice on travelling to Iraq. In what is now a more variegated and nuanced approach to advice, the FCDO has reduce the level of risk in significant areas of Iraq, including […]
From the United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO): The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to all provinces of Iraq except the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and against all but essential travel to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Protests regularly take place in and around the International Zone in […]
By John Lee. The US State Department has said that US citizens should not travel to Iraq. The announcement on Sunday followed recent attacks on Americans in the region. Full statement from US State Department: Updated to reflect the ordered departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members. Do not travel to Iraq […]
From the U.S. Embassy in Iraq: The U.S. State Department has ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. Government employees from Iraq, both at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and the U.S. Consulate in Erbil. Normal visa services at both posts will be temporarily suspended. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to […]
Issued 2 November, 2017: U.S. Mission Iraq has received credible threat information that the Baghdad Mall may be the target of a terrorist attack. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid the Baghdad Mall. As a reminder, U.S. citizens should maintain a heightened sense of security awareness and take appropriate measures to enhance their personal security […]
U.S. Embassy Baghdad is aware of reports of increased threats of attacks in Baghdad during the Eid Al-Adha holiday. In response, the U.S. Embassy has restricted movement of its employees from September 1 – 5 outside of the international zone in Baghdad. In addition, the U.S. Embassy is restricting movement of its employees on September […]
U.S. Embassy Baghdad is aware of reports of threats to target U.S. government officials and other civilians for kidnapping. In response, the U.S. Embassy has temporarily restricted movement of its employees outside of the international zone in Baghdad, as well as outside of U.S. Consulate Basrah. As a reminder, U.S. citizens should maintain a heightened […]
By John Lee. United States President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order banning people from six mainly Muslim countries: Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Unlike the order signed in January, which was blocked by the courts, this new order removes Iraq from the list, but imposes additional vetting for Iraqis. Importantly, […]
By John Lee. A US Federal Court has has issued a temporary nationwide block on President Donald Trump's ban on travellers from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Judge James L Robart (pictured) ruled that the ban was unconstitutional, and it has been lifted with immediate effect. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer described […]
