U.S. Embassy Baghdad

November 4, 2009

In light of the recent high profile attacks on Iraqi government facilities and recent terrorist attacks in other parts of Iraq, the U.S. Embassy reminds U.S. citizens of the continued danger inherent in travel throughout all regions of the country.  The Department of State Travel Warning for Iraq issued on June 15, 2009, remains in effect.  That warning notes the continued fluid security situation and recommends against all but essential travel throughout all regions of the country.  The Travel Warning is available at travel.state.gov and Iraq.usembassy.gov.  

While some regions within Iraq have experienced fewer violent incidents than others in recent years, violence and threats against U.S. citizens persist and no region should be considered safe from continued dangerous conditions, including explosions, kidnappings, and other terrorist and criminal attacks.  U.S. government personnel require special permission and a security detail at all times when traveling outside of secure facilities.  U.S. citizens who choose to visit or reside in Iraq despite this warning are urged to take responsibility for their own personal security and belongings, and to avoid succumbing to a false sense of security based upon perceived reduced risk in certain areas.   

All U.S. citizens in Iraq, including those working on contract for the U.S. government, are urged to register their presence in the country with the U.S. Embassy at the following website: travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs.  U.S. citizens without internet access may register directly at the U.S. Embassy.  By registering, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.   

U.S. citizens may contact the U.S. Embassy, located in the International Zone, via e-mail to BaghdadACS@state.gov.  In the event of a U.S. citizen emergency that cannot wait until the next business day, the emergency cell number is: 011-964-770-443-2594 (as dialed from the US) or 0770-443-2594 (as dialed within Iraq).  The U.S. Embassy website may be found at Iraq.USEmbassy.Gov . 

 
Updated information on travel and security in Iraq may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  For further information, please consult the Country Specific Information for Iraq, as well as the Worldwide Caution, both of which are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov/.