Rising Tensions in Baghdad After US Embassy Warns of Threats

BAGHDAD — The United States embassy in Baghdad issued a warning on Thursday that pro-Iran armed groups in Iraq may be planning attacks on the capital within the next one to two days.

“Iraqi terrorist militia groups aligned with Iran may intend to conduct attacks in central Baghdad in the next 24-48 hours,” the embassy said in a statement posted on X. The message also repeated its urgent call for American citizens still in the country to leave immediately.

The warning marks a sharp escalation in security alerts for Baghdad, which has experienced periods of relative calm in recent months following years of conflict and instability. The embassy did not provide specific details about the nature of the potential threats, the targeted locations, or the intelligence that prompted the advisory.

Pro-Iran militias, many of which are integrated into Iraq’s state-sponsored Popular Mobilization Forces, have carried out numerous rocket and drone attacks against US personnel and facilities in Iraq and neighboring Syria over the past several years. Tensions have frequently spiked during broader regional confrontations involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.

The embassy’s latest advisory comes amid heightened regional volatility. No further details about any possible security measures taken by Iraqi authorities or the US military were immediately available.

American citizens currently in Iraq have been urged to monitor local news, avoid crowded areas, and follow instructions from local authorities. The embassy has not announced any changes to its own operations or staffing levels at this time.

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