Washington, Oct 03: The security situation in Iraq has deteriorated badly in the past month, the US State Department has said as it renewed an existing warning for US citizens to avoid all travel to the country. With US-led occupation troops facing near daily deadly attacks from Saddam Hussein loyalists and frequent strikes against foreign targets, the department yesterday upgraded portions of its August 22 warning to make clear the dangers.
"The security environment in all of Iraq remains volatile and unpredictable," it said. "Attacks against coalition forces as well as civilian targets occur throughout the day, but travel at night is extremely dangerous." The previous alert had said attacks occurred mostly in the evening and mainly against military targets.
Yesterday's warning noted that bombs had hit recently hotels frequented by civilians in Baghdad as well as coalition targets, UN headquarters and the Jordanian Embassy. "In addition, there have been planned and random killings, as well as extortion and kidnappings," it said. "The department of state continues to strongly warn us citizens against travel to Iraq."
The department said that US citizens who "choose to visit or remain in Iraq despite the warning" should redouble their security precautions, avoid all crowds and notify officials of their presence in the country. Bureau Report