U.S. State Department Travel Warning for Iraq

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The State Department recently issued a travel warning against but essential travel to Iraq as a result of ongoing security concerns, including kidnapping and terrorism. The U.S. has completed its primary withdrawal of military forces at the end of 2011 and civilian air and road traffic remains dangerous. The ability of embassy staff to respond to emergency situations is limited and U.S. citizens in Iraq remain at high risk for kidnapping.

Iraqi Security Forces continue to perate against sectarian and terrorist violence, attacks continue particularly in the provinces of Baghdad, Ninewa, Salahad Din, Anbar, and Diyala.

The detention of three U.S. hikers by Iranian authorities in 2009 is evidence that U.S. citizens should avoid areas near the Turkish or Iranian borders because of the ongoing military operations. Further the U.S. government considers the potential threat to personnel in Iraq to be serious enough that it requires them to live and work under strict security guidelines. Detailed security information is available at the U.S. Embassy website.

Read the complete U.S. State Department travel warning for Iraq.