US Embassy Baghdad orders all American citizens to leave Iraq immediately

The United States Embassy in Baghdad issued an emergency statement Saturday ordering all American citizens in Iraq to depart immediately, following the overnight drone attack on the Embassy compound's helipad by Kataib Hezbollah. 'US citizens who choose to remain in Iraq are encouraged to reconsider their decision given the significant threat posed by Iranian-backed terrorist militias,' the Embassy said. 'We are closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates so you can make informed decisions about your safety.' The Embassy added it was prepared to assist citizens wanting to leave Iraq 'by providing the most up-to-date information on available departure options.' The emergency departure order is the strongest diplomatic warning the US Embassy has issued in Iraq during the 15-day conflict. It follows a day of intense activity in Baghdad: a drone strike on the Embassy helipad (attributed to Kataib Hezbollah), a car strike killing a Kataib Hezbollah member, and a residential airstrike in Karrada killing two. Saturday has seen more distinct strike events in Baghdad than any other single day of the war. The departure order signals a significant deterioration in the US assessment of American civilian security in Iraq. With over 170,000 US citizens estimated to be in Iraq (many with dual nationality), a full departure would be logistically complex and carries enormous political significance — effectively acknowledging that the US cannot protect its civilians on the territory of a sovereign state that is nominally an American partner.