ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – The US Embassy in Baghdad warned on Friday that pro-Iran militias may target hotels “frequented by foreigners” in the Kurdistan Region, calling on US citizens to leave as soon as possible.

“Iran-aligned terrorist militia groups may seek to target hotels frequented by foreigners in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region,” the embassy said in a statement.

It called on US citizens in Iraq to leave “as soon as they are safely able to do so, and reconsider lodging options if choosing not to depart.”

The statement comes as Washington strongly urges its citizens across the Middle East to explore departure options and leave the region.

Reports have circulated in Iraq since the US-Israel war with Iran began that Iran-backed militias may target hotels housing Americans in the Kurdistan Region. 

On Friday evening, four drones targeted the Camp Victory military base near Baghdad International Airport, which houses a US diplomatic facility, a security source said. 

Saraya Awliya al-Dam, a pro-Iran Iraqi militia and part of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, claimed responsibility for the attack. The militia has targeted US interests in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region since the war began. 

The war between the US and Israel against Iran has seen the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top officials. 

Iran has retaliated, and the conflict has spilled over into regional countries, with Iraq and the Gulf regularly being targeted by Iranian strikes, under the pretext of housing US bases and interests.