The United States Embassy in Baghdad has issued an urgent security advisory directing American citizens to leave Iraq without delay over credible threats of imminent attacks.

In a statement released on Thursday, the embassy warned of intelligence indicating that Iran-aligned militias may be planning attacks in central Baghdad within the next 24 to 48 hours.

The advisory noted that such groups have a history of targeting Americans and US-affiliated interests across Iraq, including in the Kurdistan region. It further warned of risks of kidnapping and other forms of violence against US nationals.

“The government of Iraq has not been able to prevent terrorist attacks that occur within Iraqi territory or launch from it,” the embassy stated, underscoring concerns over the country’s security capacity.

The warning comes amid heightened tensions involving Iran and follows the reported abduction of American journalist Shelly Kittleson earlier this week in Baghdad.

US authorities have advised citizens to avoid all travel to Iraq and to seek immediate arrangements to depart the country, citing the volatile security situation and risk of further attacks.