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US citizens advised to leave Iraq via overland routes following drone attacks

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by Sarah Davis - 04/08/26 1:59 PM ET

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by Sarah Davis - 04/08/26 1:59 PM ET

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The State Department issued a new security alert for Iraq on Wednesday, recommending that U.S. citizens immediately depart the country through overland routes due to Iran-allied militia activity.

The department said these groups have launched drone attacks near the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center and Baghdad International Airport in the country.

“They may intend to conduct additional terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and targets associated with the United States throughout Iraq, including in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR),” the department wrote on the social platform X.

“Although Iraqi authorities have announced plans to reopen airspace and resume commercial flights, U.S. citizens should not travel within Iraq by air in light of the ongoing risk of missiles, drones, and rockets in Iraqi airspace,” the post continued. “U.S. citizens should leave now via overland routes.”

The alert comes a day after President Trump announced that the U.S. had reached a two-week ceasefire agreement with Iran while the two countries negotiated a long-term deal for peace.

Several countries in the Persian Gulf region, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, reported strikes from Iran following the ceasefire agreement, casting doubt on the strength of the deal.

Additionally, the State Department’s recommendation follows the capture of American journalist Shelly Kittleson by Kataib Hezbollah near Baghdad last week. The Iran-backed militia released Kittleson on Tuesday in exchange for group members detained in Iraq.

The militia noted that similar agreements to free U.S. citizens would not occur in the future.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio celebrated Kittleson’s release in an X post Tuesday evening.

“We will continue to use every tool to bring Americans home and to hold accountable those responsible,” Rubio wrote. “We are relieved that this American is now free and are working to support her safe departure from Iraq.”

The State Department said the U.S. Mission Iraq is currently open to facilitate the departure of American citizens from the country, but the department advised against visiting the U.S. facilities in Baghdad or Erbil because of “significant security risks.”

The department said overland departure routes to Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Turkey are open and that people traveling should plan for long delays.

Americans in Iraq looking for assistance in evacuating the country are advised to contact the U.S. Department of State 24/7 Task Force at 202-501-4444.

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