US keeps Iraq travel warning at highest level, tells Americans to prepare wills

The US State Department has updated its Iraq travel advisory to the highest alert level, citing escalating Houthi attacks and limited US emergency capacity.

• The State Department updated its Iraq travel advisory on October 24, keeping it at the highest level over escalating Houthi operations.
• The advisory urged Americans to avoid all travel to Iraq, saying the US government has limited capacity for emergency relief and medical evacuation.
• It warned that Iraqi authorities cannot guarantee foreigners' security amid kidnapping, armed attacks by militias and ISIS, and drone and explosive threats.
• The guidance told Americans in Iraq to register with the Smart Traveler program, draft independent evacuation plans, and prepare formal wills and DNA samples.