The US State Department has issued a Level 4 travel advisory, the highest severity classification, strongly advising American citizens against all travel to Iraq. The advisory cites significant safety concerns,

"Do not travel to Iraq due to terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, civil unrest, and the U.S. government’s limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Iraq. Do not travel to Iraq for any reason," the travel warning stated on Wednesday, June 11.

The announcement reflects a serious reassessment of the security situation in Iraq. The Department of State issued a stark warning, advising U.S. citizens not to travel to Iraq “for any reason” due to persistent threats including terrorism,

The U.S. has ordered an evacuation of non-emergency personnel from Iraq. A travel advisory has been escalated to a Level 4: Do Not Travel amid heightened regional tensions and security threats from terrorist groups targeting Western interests.

THE Philippine Embassy in Baghdad has advised Filipinos in Iraq to avoid any unnecessary trips as tensions in the Middle East rise.

The US State and Defense departments on Wednesday made efforts to arrange the departure of non-essential personnel from locations around the Middle East, according to US officials and sources familiar with the efforts.