United States Embassy Issues Immediate Evacuation Order for Citizens in Iraq Following Retaliatory Drone and Rocket Attacks

The US Embassy in Baghdad urges Americans to leave Iraq immediately as Iran-backed militias launch rocket and drone strikes following deadly regional air raids.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 26, 2026, 6:22 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Times of Israel

The Deterioration of Security in the Iraqi Theater

The security environment for American personnel and citizens in Iraq has reached a critical tipping point following a series of kinetic engagements between the U.S. military and regional paramilitaries. According to a formal statement from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iran-backed militias have launched a coordinated campaign targeting American citizens and associated interests throughout the country. This surge in hostilities is a direct response to a week of lethal airstrikes that targeted the Popular Mobilization Force (PMF), a state-sanctioned coalition of pro-Iranian militias that serves as a vital component of Iraq’s security apparatus.

Immediate Evacuation and Movement Restrictions

In response to the mounting threat, the State Department has upgraded its travel advisory to the highest possible level, urging a total evacuation of all non-essential U.S. citizens. The embassy’s guidance is explicit: Americans are to avoid the diplomatic mission in Baghdad and the consulate in Erbil, which are currently viewed as vulnerable to the "ongoing risks from rockets and drones in Iraqi airspace." By ordering citizens to leave the country immediately, Washington is signaling its assessment that the current Iraqi government may be unable or unwilling to guarantee the safety of foreign nationals amidst the internal militia revolt.

The Role of the Popular Mobilization Force (PMF)

The current crisis is deeply rooted in the complex organizational structure of the PMF, an umbrella group formed over a decade ago to combat the Islamic State (ISIS). While the PMF is technically integrated into the Iraqi military, its most powerful factions—including the U.S.-designated terror group Kataeb Hezbollah—maintain primary loyalty to Tehran. The PMF has officially blamed the United States for the recent deaths of several of its high-ranking fighters, characterizing the airstrikes as an unprovoked violation of Iraqi sovereignty. This grievance has served as the catalyst for the current barrage of asymmetrical attacks against American logistical hubs and diplomatic outposts.