Civil unrest and protests can disrupt transportation and services in Baghdad and other cities, with demonstrations sometimes turning violent.

In 2026, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and several foreign governments issued Level 4 Do Not Travel advisories for Iraq, urging non-essential travel be avoided and advising departure for those already there.

Overall, the long-term outlook remains that travel to Iraq is highly discouraged for the foreseeable future, until security improves substantially.

Tourist sites and culturally significant destinations like Babylon, Karbala, and Erbil are now high-risk, with many governments warning against tourism.

Foreigners, especially Western nationals, face elevated kidnapping risks in Iraq, with risks present even in areas previously considered safer in Kurdistan.

Iraqi airspace is high risk for missiles, drones, and other projectiles, making flight cancellations possible and limiting consular assistance.

Air travel into and out of Iraq is fraught with risk due to missile, drone, and projectile threats, with limited flights and potential cancellations tied to security escalations.

The Kurdistan Region is not considered safe, emergency support is constrained, and travel insurance coverage is unlikely for Level 4 destinations.

Organized, security-vetted tours are available as alternatives, but they do not remove underlying risks and governments still discourage non-essential travel.

The U.S. Department of State’s Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory for Iraq explicitly calls for a Leave Now mandate for those in the country.

Foreigners and Western interests are particularly at risk from militia activity, with protests and urban violence possible with little warning.

Consular support from many governments is limited in Iraq, leaving travelers to handle safety arrangements during emergencies.