The US embassy in Baghdad warns of potential attacks by Iran-aligned groups in the next 24-48 hours, as a drone strike hits a US logistics centre.
BAGHDAD: The US embassy in Baghdad has issued a stark warning of potential attacks in the Iraqi capital’s centre within the next one to two days.
It stated that Iranian-aligned terrorist militia groups may intend to conduct assaults in central Baghdad.
The embassy’s statement on social media platform X directly criticised the Iraqi government’s efforts.
It asserted that the Iraqi government has not prevented terrorist attacks in or from Iraqi territory.
In a late response, the Iraqi foreign ministry said it was exerting maximum effort to prevent any escalation.
This includes strengthening security to protect foreign and diplomatic interests and maintain internal stability.
The warning follows a period of decreased attack frequency after the pro-Iran group Kataeb Hezbollah declared a pause.
This pause, extended twice, was not renewed after expiring on Wednesday night.
Iraq has been drawn into the wider regional conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Strikes have repeatedly targeted both US interests and pro-Iran groups within the country.
The US embassy itself, located in central Baghdad, has been a repeated target. The embassy also urgently advised American citizens in Iraq to depart immediately.
It warned that terrorist militias have targeted Americans for kidnapping. This alert follows Tuesday’s abduction of American journalist Shelly Kittleson in Baghdad.
An Iraqi security official told AFP a suspect detained in connection had links to Kataeb Hezbollah. The embassy later reposted a State Department offer of a USD 3 million reward for information on pro-Iran attacks.
On Thursday evening, security sources reported the US diplomatic and logistics centre in western Baghdad’s airport complex was targeted. Two drones struck the facility, but no casualties were reported.
The autonomous Kurdistan region has also faced significant violence. Erbil’s governor stated over 500 attacks have targeted the region since the war’s start.
Security sources told AFP at least 30 drones targeted Erbil and Duhok governorates overnight. No casualties were reported from these latest strikes.
The US statement noted Iran-aligned groups may claim association with the Iraqi government. These factions are often part of the state-sanctioned Popular Mobilisation Forces but act independently.
The Pentagon has acknowledged conducting strikes against pro-Iran armed groups in Iraq during the war. Washington strongly denies claims it has targeted official Iraqi security forces.
Last month, Washington and Baghdad agreed to intensify cooperation to prevent attacks. Their joint aim is to ensure Iraqi territory is not used to launch assaults against US facilities.