Evacuation Has Begun at US Embassy in Baghdad
Erbil (Kurdistan24) – The United States has begun formal preparations to partially evacuate its embassy in Baghdad due to heightened regional threats, a source inside the American mission confirmed to Kurdistan24 on Thursday
The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that embassy staff had already begun transferring sensitive documents, equipment, and logistical supplies out of the compound. As of this morning, June 12, local Iraqi employees were instructed not to report for work until further notice.
The U.S. State Department has issued a strong advisory for American citizens to avoid traveling to Iraq, citing “elevated risks of terrorism and military conflict.” Non-emergency government personnel have been ordered to leave the country, while the Pentagon has also authorized voluntary departure for military families stationed across the Middle East.
- The State Department's official guidance declares Iraq an “unsafe travel destination” and warns that no region in the country currently offers guaranteed safety for American nationals
A second source inside the Baghdad mission told Kurdistan24 yesterday, that the embassy is reducing its personnel in two phases, further confirming that operational procedures for a drawdown have already begun.
- In a comment to Kurdistan24, Sabah Nouman, spokesperson for Iraq’s Joint Operations Command, stated that Baghdad had not been formally informed about the evacuation. “We have not received any official notification from the U.S. Embassy regarding the drawdown,” he said
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