Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE61813
2009-06-15 23:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 061813
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC ASEC PTER IR
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING - IRAQ
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 061813
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC ASEC PTER IR
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING - IRAQ
1. The Department of State continues to warn U.S.
citizens of the dangers inherent in travel to Iraq and
recommends against all but essential travel in country
given the fluid security situation. Numerous insurgent
groups remain active throughout Iraq. Iraqi Security
Forces (ISF)-led military operations continue, and
attacks persist against the ISF and U.S. forces in many
areas of the country. Turkish government forces have
carried out operations against elements of the Kongra-
Gel terrorist group (KGK, formerly Kurdistan Worker's
Party or PKK) located along Iraq's northern border.
This Travel Warning warns U.S. citizens of the current
security situation and reiterates the dangers of the use
of civilian aircraft and of road travel within Iraq.
This replaces the Travel Warning of June 13, 2008, to
provide an update on security incidents and additional
concerns about travel within Iraq.
--------------
Iraq Remains Dangerous and Unpredictable
--------------
2. While the security environment has shown significant
improvement over the past year, Iraq remains dangerous
and unpredictable. Attacks against military and
civilian targets throughout Iraq continue, including in
the International (or "Green") Zone. Methods of attack
have included roadside improvised explosive devices
(IEDs),mortars and rockets, and human- and vehicle-
borne IEDs. Kidnappings still occur; the most recent
confirmed kidnapping of an American citizen reported to
the U.S. Embassy occurred during July 2008 in Nassariya.
In addition to terrorist and criminal attacks, sectarian
violence occurs often. U.S. Government personnel
require special permission and a security detail at all
times when traveling outside of secure facilities and
are prohibited from traveling to certain areas of Iraq
depending on prevailing security conditions. Detailed
security information is available on the Embassy's web
site at http://iraq.usembassy.gov and at
http://www.centcom.mil.
--------------
Transportation to/from and within Iraq
--------------
3. Travelers choosing to utilize commercial carriers to
enter or depart Iraq should be aware that, although
there have been no recent attacks on civilian aircraft,
the potential threat still exists, as does the high risk
to road transportation as described above. U.S.
Government personnel, with limited exceptions, are
generally required to use U.S. military or other
official aircraft when entering or departing Iraq.
There have been no recent security-related incidents
associated with civilian airport operations. Embassy
employees, including those resident in northern Iraq,
may seek authorization, and under special limited
circumstances, have obtained permission to use
commercial airlines and civilian airports when entering
or departing Iraq. Civilians, including tourists,
business people, and temporary residents should
recognize the risks associated with AIR travel to Iraq
and must be guided by the security policies of their
agencies, companies and sponsors.
--------------
Northern Iraq
--------------
4. The security situation in Sulymaniya, Erbil, and
STATE 00061813 002 OF 002
Dohuk Governorates in northern Iraq has been relatively
more stable than the rest of Iraq in recent years, but
violence persists and conditions could deteriorate
quickly. Even though there have been fewer terrorist
attacks and lower levels of insurgent violence in
Sulymaniya, Erbil, and Dohuk than in other parts of
Iraq, the security situation throughout the country
remains fluid. Violence associated with the status of
Kirkuk is likely to continue, at least within Kirkuk.
Insurgent groups continue to operate across the north.
In 2008, multiple incidents occurred in Sulymaniya,
Erbil, and Dohuk involving IEDs, rocket and mortar fire,
vehicle bombs, and shootings, though none resulted in
U.S. casualties. While many parts of northern Iraq have
become more stable, Mosul continues to experience
intense violence and instability.
--------------
International Zone Restrictions
--------------
5. The U.S. Embassy is located in the International
Zone (IZ) in Baghdad. The IZ is a restricted access
area. The U.S. Government considers the potential
threat to U.S. Government personnel assigned to Iraq to
be sufficiently serious so as to require them to live
and work under strict security guidelines.
-------------- -
Limited Emergency Support to American Citizens
-------------- -
6. The U.S. Embassy provides limited visa services to
the general public and provides restricted emergency
services to U.S. citizens in Iraq, particularly those
located outside of Baghdad. American citizens who
choose to visit or reside in Iraq despite this Travel
Warning are urged to take responsibility for their own
personal security and belongings (including their U.S.
passports),avoid crowds, especially rallies or
demonstrations, and to inform the U.S. Embassy of their
presence in Iraq. All Americans in Iraq are asked to
register with the Embassy at the following website:
https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs.
--------------
Contact Information
--------------
7. American citizens may obtain the latest security
information or other information about Iraq by
contacting the U.S. Embassy, located in the
International Zone, via landline at 1-240-553-0581, via
e-mail to baghdadacs@state.gov, or by accessing the U.S.
Embassy's website at http://iraq.usembassy.gov. The
after-hours numbers in cases of extreme emergency are
011-964-770-443-2594 (from the US) or 964 0770-443-
2594(within Iraq).
8. Updated information on travel and security in Iraq
may be obtained from the Department of State by calling
1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada
or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a
regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For further
information, please consult the Country Specific
Information for Iraq, as well as the Worldwide Caution,
both of which are available on the Bureau of Consular
Affairs Internet website at
http://travel.state.gov/.
9. Minimize considered.
CLINTON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC ASEC PTER IR
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING - IRAQ
1. The Department of State continues to warn U.S.
citizens of the dangers inherent in travel to Iraq and
recommends against all but essential travel in country
given the fluid security situation. Numerous insurgent
groups remain active throughout Iraq. Iraqi Security
Forces (ISF)-led military operations continue, and
attacks persist against the ISF and U.S. forces in many
areas of the country. Turkish government forces have
carried out operations against elements of the Kongra-
Gel terrorist group (KGK, formerly Kurdistan Worker's
Party or PKK) located along Iraq's northern border.
This Travel Warning warns U.S. citizens of the current
security situation and reiterates the dangers of the use
of civilian aircraft and of road travel within Iraq.
This replaces the Travel Warning of June 13, 2008, to
provide an update on security incidents and additional
concerns about travel within Iraq.
--------------
Iraq Remains Dangerous and Unpredictable
--------------
2. While the security environment has shown significant
improvement over the past year, Iraq remains dangerous
and unpredictable. Attacks against military and
civilian targets throughout Iraq continue, including in
the International (or "Green") Zone. Methods of attack
have included roadside improvised explosive devices
(IEDs),mortars and rockets, and human- and vehicle-
borne IEDs. Kidnappings still occur; the most recent
confirmed kidnapping of an American citizen reported to
the U.S. Embassy occurred during July 2008 in Nassariya.
In addition to terrorist and criminal attacks, sectarian
violence occurs often. U.S. Government personnel
require special permission and a security detail at all
times when traveling outside of secure facilities and
are prohibited from traveling to certain areas of Iraq
depending on prevailing security conditions. Detailed
security information is available on the Embassy's web
site at http://iraq.usembassy.gov and at
http://www.centcom.mil.
--------------
Transportation to/from and within Iraq
--------------
3. Travelers choosing to utilize commercial carriers to
enter or depart Iraq should be aware that, although
there have been no recent attacks on civilian aircraft,
the potential threat still exists, as does the high risk
to road transportation as described above. U.S.
Government personnel, with limited exceptions, are
generally required to use U.S. military or other
official aircraft when entering or departing Iraq.
There have been no recent security-related incidents
associated with civilian airport operations. Embassy
employees, including those resident in northern Iraq,
may seek authorization, and under special limited
circumstances, have obtained permission to use
commercial airlines and civilian airports when entering
or departing Iraq. Civilians, including tourists,
business people, and temporary residents should
recognize the risks associated with AIR travel to Iraq
and must be guided by the security policies of their
agencies, companies and sponsors.
--------------
Northern Iraq
--------------
4. The security situation in Sulymaniya, Erbil, and
STATE 00061813 002 OF 002
Dohuk Governorates in northern Iraq has been relatively
more stable than the rest of Iraq in recent years, but
violence persists and conditions could deteriorate
quickly. Even though there have been fewer terrorist
attacks and lower levels of insurgent violence in
Sulymaniya, Erbil, and Dohuk than in other parts of
Iraq, the security situation throughout the country
remains fluid. Violence associated with the status of
Kirkuk is likely to continue, at least within Kirkuk.
Insurgent groups continue to operate across the north.
In 2008, multiple incidents occurred in Sulymaniya,
Erbil, and Dohuk involving IEDs, rocket and mortar fire,
vehicle bombs, and shootings, though none resulted in
U.S. casualties. While many parts of northern Iraq have
become more stable, Mosul continues to experience
intense violence and instability.
--------------
International Zone Restrictions
--------------
5. The U.S. Embassy is located in the International
Zone (IZ) in Baghdad. The IZ is a restricted access
area. The U.S. Government considers the potential
threat to U.S. Government personnel assigned to Iraq to
be sufficiently serious so as to require them to live
and work under strict security guidelines.
-------------- -
Limited Emergency Support to American Citizens
-------------- -
6. The U.S. Embassy provides limited visa services to
the general public and provides restricted emergency
services to U.S. citizens in Iraq, particularly those
located outside of Baghdad. American citizens who
choose to visit or reside in Iraq despite this Travel
Warning are urged to take responsibility for their own
personal security and belongings (including their U.S.
passports),avoid crowds, especially rallies or
demonstrations, and to inform the U.S. Embassy of their
presence in Iraq. All Americans in Iraq are asked to
register with the Embassy at the following website:
https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs.
--------------
Contact Information
--------------
7. American citizens may obtain the latest security
information or other information about Iraq by
contacting the U.S. Embassy, located in the
International Zone, via landline at 1-240-553-0581, via
e-mail to baghdadacs@state.gov, or by accessing the U.S.
Embassy's website at http://iraq.usembassy.gov. The
after-hours numbers in cases of extreme emergency are
011-964-770-443-2594 (from the US) or 964 0770-443-
2594(within Iraq).
8. Updated information on travel and security in Iraq
may be obtained from the Department of State by calling
1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada
or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a
regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For further
information, please consult the Country Specific
Information for Iraq, as well as the Worldwide Caution,
both of which are available on the Bureau of Consular
Affairs Internet website at
http://travel.state.gov/.
9. Minimize considered.
CLINTON