US Begins Partial Embassy Evacuation in Iraq Over Rising Threats

Us Begins Partial Embassy Evacuation In Iraq Over Rising Threats

The U.S. is pulling out non-essential staff from its embassy in Iraq — and fast. On Tuesday, the State Department confirmed a partial evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and the consulate in Erbil, citing “heightened security threats.” The move affects government personnel and eligible family members deemed not critical to the mission.

A U.S. official told Reuters this was a “precautionary step” as tensions ramp up across the Middle East. They’re not exactly sounding the fire alarm — but they’re definitely checking the exits. “This is not a full evacuation,” the source clarified. “But we’re taking prudent steps given the regional risk environment.”

The news follows a sharp uptick in threats against U.S. personnel, fueled in part by fallout from the Israel-Gaza war and aggressive rhetoric from Iran. And let’s just say, nobody’s in the mood for surprises.

An official memo reviewed by Reuters outlined an “ordered departure” for staff in Baghdad and Erbil, meaning they have to leave. That’s different from a “voluntary departure,” which is more like, “You can bail if you want.”

Meanwhile, the embassy’s core functions are still running. No, the lights aren’t out in the Baghdad compound. Essential personnel — including diplomats and security — are staying put for now.

The U.S. military isn’t sitting idle either. The Pentagon has reportedly heightened alert levels at bases across the region. While they haven’t confirmed the exact nature of the threat, officials are clearly watching closely.

Earlier this week, Iran’s defense minister warned that Tehran would retaliate against U.S. bases if provoked — not exactly bedtime reading for anyone stationed nearby.

The timing? Not a coincidence. This comes just days before the anniversary of Qassem Soleimani’s death, the top Iranian commander killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad back in 2020. That event still echoes across Iraqi politics and regional alliances.

This is also the second time in less than a year the U.S. has scaled back embassy staff in Iraq. The last one? A similar situation of rising tensions, rocket attacks, and shadowy militias playing whack-a-mole.

So far, no specific group has been named in the latest threat, but all signs point to Iran-backed militias who’ve targeted U.S. interests before. The groups often operate in gray zones — not quite official, not quite rogue — making it even trickier to pin down.

A source close to the decision told Reuters, “We’re not predicting a specific attack, but we’re also not waiting around for one.” Still, the U.S. isn’t abandoning ship. Officials emphasized this was about keeping personnel safe, not shuttering diplomatic relations. For now, the embassy’s flag is still flying — just with a few less people underneath it.