Americans in Iraq warned to leave ‘now’ amid threats of imminent attacks

The U.S. Embassy in Iraq has warned Americans to leave the country as soon as possible due to threats from Iranian-allied militias to carry out imminent attacks in Baghdad over the next two days.

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“US citizens should leave Iraq now,” the embassy warned in an alert issued Thursday. Anyone who chooses to stay in the country will do so “at significant risk,” the statement added.

The warning comes just days after reports emerged of the kidnapping of American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was reportedly kidnapped in Baghdad on Tuesday by suspected Iran-backed militants.

Dylan Johnson, assistant secretary of state for global affairs, said a person suspected of involvement in the kidnapping had been captured and was in Iraqi custody. He said the person had ties to the Iran-aligned Kataib Hezbollah militia.

Kittleson’s mother, Barb Kittleson, told Milwaukee’s NBC affiliate WTMJ that her daughter had been living in the Middle East and working as a journalist for about 20 years. She said she last heard from him on Monday.

Since the United States and Israel launched their military attack on Iran in late February, sparking the war currently ravaging the region, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad has warned that Iraqi militias may attempt to kidnap Americans.

The embassy noted Thursday that Iran and Iran-aligned militias have already carried out “widespread attacks” against U.S. citizens and U.S.-associated targets in Iraq, including in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.

As Iraq as a whole became safer for locals and foreigners when the civil war sparked by the U.S. invasion ended in 2003, Iran’s influence over its neighbor’s politics and society grew. The Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces, which are legally part of the Iraqi army, often act independently of the government.

The embassy said that in addition to the risk of kidnapping, “businesses, universities, diplomatic facilities, energy infrastructure, hotels, airports and other locations perceived to be associated with the United States, as well as Iraqi institutions and civilian targets,” could also be subject to attack.

He adds that the Iraqi government has failed to prevent attacks on or from its territory. He also warned that militia members could even “claim to be associated with the Iraqi government” and carry identification indicating their status as government employees.

The Iraqi embassies in the United States and Britain did not immediately respond to NBC News’ requests for comment.

The development comes after the State Department last month ordered all U.S. embassies and consular posts around the world to conduct security reviews without delay, according to a cable seen by NBC News following attacks on U.S. embassies in the region, including an attack by an Iran-aligned militia on the embassy in Baghdad.

Americans wishing to leave Iraq, where a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” warning is in effect, will face some difficulties with airspace closed and commercial flights not flying out of the country.

The embassy noted that land routes to Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Turkey were open, but travelers should “expect long delays.”

Still, he said, Americans should “leave now via one of these land routes.”

He further warned Americans not to attempt to travel to the embassy in Baghdad or the consulate general in Erbil “in light of the significant security risks” but said Americans needing assistance could contact the embassy in Baghdad at BaghdadACS@state.gov or the consulate general in Erbil at ErbilACS@state.gov.

Erbil is the capital of the oil-rich Kurdistan region, which has seen less violence than other parts of the country.

The embassy suggested that Americans leaving the country keep a low profile and “remain aware of their surroundings.” He also suggested having a supply of food, water, medicine and other essential items.

Separately, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said it continued to work to “obtain the release” of Kittleson, the American journalist kidnapped this week in Baghdad.

She said she would “take all necessary legal measures against all those involved in this criminal act, in accordance with the law.”