Safety and Security

Risk of Violence to U.S. Citizens:  U.S. citizens in Iraq remain at high risk for kidnapping and terrorist violence. The U.S. Embassy warns U.S. citizens to avoid all but essential travel to Iraq and advises citizens to read the State Department’s Iraq Travel Warning. 

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is conducting a widespread, active insurgency in many parts of Iraq and Syria.  It commits violent atrocities and targets U.S. citizens.  Additionally, criminal gangs and local militias pose a potential threat to U.S. citizens.  Sectarian and terrorist violence has increased since the beginning of 2013 in Iraq, most notably in the provinces of Anbar, Babil, Baghdad, Kirkuk, Ninewa, Salah ad Din, and Diyala. (Please see the Iraq Travel Warning for a further description of the types of violence occurring in Iraq at present.) 

U.S. Government Security:  The U.S. government considers the potential threat to U.S. government personnel in Iraq to be serious enough to require them to live and work under strict security guidelines. All U.S. government employees under the authority of the U.S. Chief of Mission must follow strict safety and security procedures when traveling outside the Embassy.

Private Security:  State Department guidance to U.S. businesses in Iraq advises the use of protective security details.  Detailed security information is available at the U.S. Embassy website.

Avoid Border Areas: U.S. citizens should avoid border areas, especially near the Syrian, Turkish, and Iranian borders in northern Iraq, which are especially dangerous and not always clearly defined.  For more information, please see the Iraq Travel Warning, and Country Specific Information for Iraq’s neighboring countries: Iran, Jordan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Syria.

Mosul Dam: The Government of Iraq has begun to take measures to improve the structural integrity of the Mosul Dam.  A dam failure could cause significant flooding and interruption of essential services from Mosul to Baghdad.  While it is impossible to accurately predict the likelihood of the dam failing, the Embassy has made contingency plans to relocate its personnel in such an event.  The Embassy recommends that U.S. citizens in Iraq, especially those who reside in the floodplain of the Tigris River, prepare their own contingency plans and stay informed of local media reports and Embassy security messages for updates.

Crime:  Petty theft is common in Iraq; this includes pick-pocketing in busy areas (e.g. markets), as well as the theft of money, jewelry, or other valuables from hotel rooms and private residences.  Historically, carjacking by armed thieves has been very common, even during daylight hours, and particularly on the highways from Jordan and Kuwait to Baghdad.   Foreigners, Iraqi citizens, and especially dual U.S.-Iraqi citizens are targets of kidnapping.  Kidnappers often demand money but have also carried out kidnappings for political/religious reasons.  Many hostages have been killed. 

Reports of murder increased sharply in 2014 and stayed relatively high in 2015 due to terrorism, tribal and family disputes, and religious/sectarian tensions.

Victims of Crime:  If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.  We can:

• Replace a stolen passport.
• Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape.
• Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and if you want us to, contact family members or friends.
• Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.  

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Iraq is “130” from both mobile and fixed line telephones. Please note that responders do not speak English.

Please see our information for victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.

To Stay Connected:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. 
• Call us in Washington at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the State Department's travel website for Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts.
• Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. 
• See State’s Traveler’s Checklist for useful travel tips.