Information for Travelers
Warden Message: Personal Protective Equipment and Hardened Structures
March 27, 2008
This is to notify all U.S. citizens in Iraq that the U.S. Embassy has announced that, until further notice, all personnel under the authority of the Chief of Mission are required to wear body armor, helmet and protective eyewear anytime they are outside of building structures in the International Zone. In addition, Chief of Mission personnel in the International Zone have been advised to remain inside of hardened structures at all times, except for mission essential movements.
The Department of State continues to strongly warn U.S. citizens against travel to Iraq, which remains very dangerous.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the Travel Warning http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_921.html and Iraq Country Specific Information http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1144.html may be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Consular Section for the Embassy in Baghdad can be reached at the following numbers: Landline: 1-240-553-0589, Iraqna cellular phone: 07901-191-0058/57/56/54/53/52/49/48. They can also be reached by e-mail at usconsulbaghdad@state.gov or by accessing the U.S. Embassy's website at http://iraq.usembassy.gov. The after-hours number in case of extreme emergency are Iraqna 07901-732-134 or GSM 914-822-1370.