ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – The US Embassy in Baghdad on Thursday warned that pro-Iran Iraqi militias “may intend” to carry out attacks in central Baghdad in the next 24-48 hours, as the groups continue to target US interests and civilian infrastructure across the country.

“Iraqi terrorist militia groups aligned with Iran may intend to conduct attacks in central Baghdad in the next 24-48 hours,” the embassy said in a statement.

It added that the strikes may intend to target US “citizens, businesses, universities, diplomatic facilities, energy infrastructure, hotels, airports,” and other perceived US-affiliated facilities, “as well as Iraqi institutions and civilian targets.”

Iran-backed militias have claimed the majority of attacks launched within Iraqi territory, including the Kurdistan Region, under the pretext of targeting American diplomatic missions and military presence.

The main target of the Iran-backed groups within Baghdad has been Baghdad International Airport, where the US Camp Victory base and diplomatic facilities are situated nearby. 

However, the strikes have also targeted residential neighborhoods, religious sites, hotels, and energy infrastructure, including four drone attacks on a UK-based oil company in Erbil on Wednesday.

The targeting of US interests within and outside the borders of Iraq by the groups has invited a series of strikes on Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) positions, which host a large number of pro-Iran groups, leading to hundreds of casualties.

“The Iraqi government has not prevented terrorist attacks in or from Iraqi territory,” the statement noted, highlighting the potential association of the groups with Baghdad.

The armed factions “may claim to be associated with the Iraqi government. Terrorists may carry identification denoting their status as Iraqi government employees.”

The US State Department maintains a level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for Iraq due to security risks, including kidnappings of US citizens, armed conflict, and fears of terrorism. The embassy urged US citizens to “leave Iraq now.”