Safety and security in iraq

There is a high threat of terrorism throughout Iraq.  

We advise against all travel to Baghdad and the surrounding area, the provinces of Basra, Maysan, Al Anbar, Salah Ad Din, Diyala, Wasit, Babil, Ninawa, and At-Tamim (At-Tamim is often referred to as "Kirkuk Province").  We advise against all but essential travel to the provinces of Al Qadisiyah, Muthanna, Najaf, Karbala, and Dhi Qar.  For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.  

Terrorists and insurgents conduct frequent and widespread lethal attacks on a wide range of targets in Iraq, including against British and other international military, political and civilian targets.  

If you consider your presence in Iraq is essential you should have adequate and continuous professional close security arrangements and ensure they are regularly reviewed.  

Targets  

Terrorists, insurgents and criminals target British and western flagged organisations, non-governmental organisations and contractors working – or perceived to be working - in support of them (particularly those who live and work outside of military protected bases or the International Zone in Baghdad) are at high risk of attack. There have been attacks on the International Committee of the Red Cross, the UN, journalists, foreign contractors and visitors to Iraq.  As are commercial, aviation, maritime and infrastructure targets as well as Iraqi Government and other related political and security facilities.  Indiscriminate attacks against civilian targets also occur.

  Targets have included places such as hotels, restaurants where westerners congregate and civilian vehicles and civil aviation.  

Civilian and military aircraft arriving in and departing from Baghdad International Airport and flying to other major cities in Iraq have been subjected to attack by small arms and missiles. However,  the standard of security at Baghdad International Airport’s civilian terminal has improved. There are still concerns and we urge you exercise caution if using the civilian terminal.

  There have also been attacks within Baghdad's International (or Green) Zone.  Terrorists and insurgents continue to attack mosques, churches, army recruiting centres, public transport, police stations, government buildings and party political offices.  You should avoid large gatherings and exercise extreme vigilance, especially on Fridays after weekly prayers.  Ceremonies to mark Islamic and Christian festivals have been targeted, including near churches or holy areas.  Rocket and mortar attacks  occur sporadically in Baghdad (including the International Zone) and Basra.

  Methods of attack include shootings, bombings, suicide bombs, vehicle bombs, rockets and mortars.  

Kidnap  

There remains a high threat of kidnapping across Iraq. Five British nationals were abducted from eastern Baghdad on 29 May 2007 and one from Basra on 10 February 2008.  Particular caution should be exercised throughout all of the country.  Individuals have been kidnapped at their residence, work and in transit.  Kidnappers do not discriminate on the basis of nationality, religion, gender, age or profession. Since April 2006, large numbers of people have been kidnapped, of which a number resulted in the death of hostages. You should be aware that further kidnaps might be planned.

  You should be aware that the motives of hostage takers vary from political to profit. The long-standing policy of the British Government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers.  The British Government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage taking.

  The provision of close security protection is extremely important for those working in and moving around Baghdad.  But this in itself does not remove the threat – a number of those who have been kidnapped include individuals who had security arrangements in place.   British Citizens, including those working for private security companies, are advised to reassess security arrangements and consider carefully when planning movements throughout Iraq, especially when moving outside the International Zone in Baghdad.  

The Kurdistan Region   The three provinces of Dohuk, Erbil and Sulaimaniyah form the Kurdistan Region and are administered by the Kurdistan Regional Government which, under the 2005 constitution, has considerable powers of autonomy within a federal Iraq. The Kurdistan Regional Government administered area has significantly greater stability, compared with the rest of Iraq.    

However, despite largely effective policies countering terrorism in the region, extremist Islamist terrorist groups including Al-Qaida in Iraq and Ansar al Islam have planned and carried out infrequent attacks in the past. 

A network of Iran-based Kurdish extremists, affiliated with Al-Qaida in Iraq mount occasional cross-border attacks.  The threat of terrorism and kidnap remains possible.  Terrorist operations, including in the cities of Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, have generally been conducted against Kurdistan Regional Government targets.  

On 10 March 2008, a suicide vehicle bomb exploded outside Sulaimaniyah Palace Hotel.  On 9 May 2007, a suicide vehicle bomb exploded outside the Ministry of Interior in Erbil.  This was the first attack of its kind in Erbil in two years.  

Shelling in the border areas with Turkey and Iran in the Kurdistan Region still occurs. You should seek advice on the situation in these remote border areas before travelling there.

  Northern Iraq (Outside Kirdustan Region)   Outside the Kurdistan Region, the security situation in northern Iraq remains highly dangerous and volatile. In Kirkuk and Mosul there are still a number of terrorist attacks, including suicide bomb attacks, vehicle bombs, and shootings, which have led to many innocent bystanders being killed.  On 28 July 2008 a suicide bombing among a crowd of demonstrators in Kirkuk caused a number of deaths and casualties, and a suicide bomber caused large numbers of deaths at a restaurant during holiday festivities in December the same year.

On 16 July 2007, two vehicle bombs caused a number of deaths and casualties. In a separate incident on the same day in Khataniya and Jazeera, the Kurdish Yazidi area of Ninawa province, around 400 people were killed and around 500 injured in four co-ordinated suicide vehicle bombs.  

  Curfews

Although there is currently no Iraq countrywide curfew we advise that curfews and vehicle bans can and are enforced at short notice, particularly around religious holidays, pilgrimages and key political dates such as elections. Please ensure you check with the relevant local authorities for curfews before travelling.

Local Travel
  We understand that the Government of Iraq has closed six border crossings with Iran at Kella, Saranban-Golle, Taiwella, Parweez Khan, Muntheria and al Sheeb. The border posts of Al Abdali and Safwan with Kuwait have previously been closed at short notice for indefinite periods.

  Road Travel  

Road travel remains highly dangerous and there continue to be fatal roadside bombings ,  and random and premeditated attacks on military and civilian vehicles.  There has been a rise in the deployment of false vehicle checkpoints from which violent attacks have been mounted. In addition to the threat from terrorism/kidnapping, there is also a continuing criminal threat from car jacking and robbery.