Country Risk Report
Iraq
Baghdad
Arabic and Kurdish (official)
Iraqi dinar (IQD)
Executive Summary
Iraq is classified as a HIGH risk destination and has been drawn directly into the 2026 regional war. Since hostilities between the United States and Iran began in late February 2026, Iran-aligned Iraqi militias, grouped under the Islamic Resistance in Iraq and led by factions such as Kata'ib Hezbollah, have launched more than 300 missile and drone attacks on US and allied targets, including the US embassy in Baghdad, Baghdad airport, and airports and energy sites in the Kurdistan Region. US and Israeli forces have retaliated with airstrikes across multiple provinces. The war has compounded Iraq's existing risks. A residual Islamic State (ISIS) threat persists, particularly in the western desert of Al-Anbar and around detention facilities holding thousands of ISIS prisoners. Foreigners face a real risk of kidnapping, underlined by the abduction of a US journalist in Baghdad in March 2026. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has cut Iraqi oil exports sharply, driving a severe economic downturn and adding instability. Iraqi airspace closed during the height of the conflict and has since reopened to limited flights, but the risk of missiles, drones and rockets in Iraqi airspace continues, and several governments advise against all travel. The Kurdistan Region, previously more stable, has been repeatedly struck. Militia and government disarmament tensions, checkpoints and the legacy of past wars add further hazards. Cover for Iraq is available on request only. Standard travel insurance is invalid, and travel is viable only for critical purposes with specialist security support and comprehensive war-risk, evacuation and kidnap-for-ransom insurance in place.
Risk Matrix
| Category | Risk Rating | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| Armed Conflict | High | Militia missile and drone attacks and US and Israeli retaliation across the country amid the regional war. |
| Terrorism | High | Residual ISIS threat plus Iran-aligned militia attacks on foreign and government targets. |
| Kidnapping | High | Foreigners, including journalists, are targeted by militia-linked and criminal actors. |
| Crime | High | Armed and opportunistic crime amid economic downturn and weak state control in places. |
| Civil Unrest | Moderate | Periodic protests, aggravated by the economic crisis and political friction. |
| Health & Medical | High | Care is variable and strained; serious cases require evacuation, complicated by airspace risk. |
| Internal Travel | High | Airspace risk, checkpoints, militia presence and desert insecurity constrain movement. |
| Digital / Cyber | Moderate | Surveillance and monitoring; connectivity affected by conflict. |
Essential Precautions
Security Situation
Iraq is a volatile environment made more dangerous by the 2026 regional war. Iran-aligned militia attacks and US and Israeli retaliation, a residual ISIS threat, kidnapping risk and economic collapse all combine, and conditions can change quickly and vary by region.
Baghdad and Central Iraq
The Kurdistan Region (Erbil and Sulaymaniyah)
Al-Anbar and the West
The South (Basra and the Shrine Cities)
Detailed Risk Assessment
Armed Conflict
Iraq has been drawn into the regional war through Iran-aligned militia attacks on US and allied targets and the resulting US and Israeli retaliation across multiple provinces. This is not a front-line war within Iraq, but strikes, air defence activity and airspace disruption create sudden escalation risk.
Baghdad faces militia strikes and retaliation, including near the airport and diplomatic sites.
The Kurdistan Region faces missile and drone strikes on airports and energy sites.
Al-Anbar faces both ISIS activity and strikes on militia positions.
The south faces strikes on militia positions and infrastructure.
Terrorism
A residual ISIS threat persists, particularly in the west and around detention facilities, alongside Iran-aligned militia attacks on foreign, diplomatic and government targets. Crowded places and infrastructure are potential targets.
Baghdad faces both militia attacks and a residual ISIS threat.
The Kurdistan Region faces militia attacks and some ISIS activity.
Al-Anbar is the core zone for residual ISIS activity.
The south faces militia-related and residual ISIS threats.
Kidnapping and Detention
Foreigners face a real risk of kidnapping by militia-linked and criminal actors, underlined by the abduction of a US journalist in Baghdad in March 2026. Aid workers, contractors and journalists are at particular risk, and detention by armed actors is possible.
Baghdad carries a significant kidnapping risk, including near hotels and the airport.
The Kurdistan Region carries a lower but real abduction risk.
Al-Anbar carries abduction risk from residual ISIS and criminal actors.
The south carries militia-related abduction risk.
Crime and Lawlessness
Armed and opportunistic crime is significant, aggravated by economic downturn, weapons proliferation and weak state control in some areas. Militias and criminal networks operate checkpoints and control local economies.
Baghdad sees armed crime, extortion and kidnapping.
The Kurdistan Region has comparatively lower crime but rising strain.
Al-Anbar sees smuggling and armed crime in the desert belt.
The south sees militia-linked crime and smuggling.
Internal Travel
Movement is constrained by airspace risk, checkpoints operated by state forces and militias, and desert insecurity. Airspace has reopened to limited flights but remains at risk from missiles and drones, and overland routes to neighbouring countries are the main contingency.
Movement around Baghdad involves numerous checkpoints and airport risk.
The Kurdistan Region has functional but strike-exposed airports and routes.
Al-Anbar and the western desert are hazardous and should be avoided.
Southern routes involve checkpoints and militia presence.
Health and Disease
Healthcare is variable and strained, better in major cities but limited elsewhere, and the conflict and economic crisis have added pressure. Serious cases require international evacuation, which is complicated by airspace risk.
Baghdad has the best facilities, though strained.
The Kurdistan Region has reasonable facilities in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah.
Al-Anbar has limited services.
The south has variable and strained facilities.
Cultural and Religious Sensitivities
Iraq is a conservative, majority-Muslim society with deep sectarian and tribal dynamics and highly sensitive religious sites, particularly the Shia shrine cities. Political and sectarian topics are dangerous, and travellers should dress conservatively and defer to local guidance.
Baghdad is diverse but sectarian and politically sensitive.
The Kurdistan Region is comparatively more relaxed but still conservative.
Al-Anbar is conservative and tribal.
The south is conservative with major Shia religious significance.
LGBT Travellers
Same-sex relationships face legal penalties and severe social hostility, and militias have targeted LGBT people. LGBT travellers face serious risk and should exercise absolute discretion, including over digital content.
Landmines and Unexploded Ordnance
Iraq is heavily contaminated with landmines and explosive remnants from decades of war, including ISIS-laid improvised devices in former conflict areas. The north and former battle zones are particularly affected, and travellers should stay strictly on established routes.
Central former battle areas retain contamination.
The Kurdistan Region has extensive legacy contamination from earlier conflicts.
Al-Anbar and former ISIS areas are heavily contaminated with IEDs and ordnance.
Southern former battle areas retain contamination.
Diplomatic and Government Situation
Iraq's government seeks to balance between Tehran and Washington and is under pressure over militia disarmament, with prime ministerial selection contested amid the war. The US mission is on ordered departure, consular support is limited, and the militia issue directly affects security and diplomacy.
Baghdad hosts the government and the reduced diplomatic presence.
The Kurdistan Region has its own autonomous administration.
Al-Anbar has limited state reach in the desert belt.
The south is heavily influenced by militias and local powerbrokers.
Digital and Cyber Threats
Communications can be monitored and connectivity is affected by the conflict, including strikes on telecommunications infrastructure in the Kurdistan Region. Device scrutiny can occur at checkpoints, and sensitive content or affiliations can create risk.
Baghdad has functioning but monitored connectivity.
The Kurdistan Region has faced strikes on telecoms infrastructure.
Al-Anbar has limited connectivity.
The south has functioning but variable connectivity.
Vaccinations & Health Hazards
Strongly Recommended
- Hepatitis A and Typhoid
Recommended due to contaminated food and water.
- Hepatitis B and Tetanus
Recommended given limited safe medical care and trauma risk.
- Poliomyelitis
Recommended given regional circulation.
- Measles (MMR)
Ensure boosters are current given outbreak risk.
Other Health Hazards
- Food and water hygiene: Practise strict hygiene; waterborne illness is common.
- Heat and environment: Extreme summer heat and desert conditions complicate operations.
- Trauma capacity: Trauma care is strained. Carry a trauma kit and pre-arrange evacuation.
- Air quality and dust: Dust storms and pollution affect respiratory conditions.
- Routine vaccines: Ensure all primary courses and boosters are up to date on the UK schedule. Consult a health professional four to six weeks before departure.
Choosing the Right Insurance
Standard travel insurance is invalid for Iraq. Cover is available on request only and must be specialist war-risk insurance covering emergency medical evacuation, security extraction, repatriation and kidnap-for-ransom response. Policies may exclude Al-Anbar and other areas and require pre-travel approval.
Annex A - Key Risk Dynamics
Checkpoints and Detention Triggers
Both state forces and Popular Mobilization Forces operate checkpoints with different conduct. Carry original documents and a verifiable purpose. Do not photograph checkpoints, forces, militias or installations. Air travel carries a continued risk from missiles, drones and rockets.Kidnapping and Detention Dynamics
Foreigners, including journalists, have been abducted by militia-linked actors. Most abductions occur in transit, including near hotels and the airport. Criminal networks and residual ISIS add abduction risk in some areas. Locally hired staff may pass movement details to hostile actors.High-Risk Travellers
Journalists and contractors are specifically targeted for abduction. Leisure travellers have no support structure amid the regional war. Unaccompanied individuals face heightened risk at checkpoints and on routes. First-time hostile-environment travellers are unlikely to manage strike, checkpoint and kidnap risks.Annex B - Key Preparation & Checklists
Essential Preparation and Medical
Travel only for critical purposes with specialist security support and war-risk insurance covering evacuation and K&R. Keep a land exit contingency to Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia or Turkey given airspace risk. Establish extraction and evacuation plans before arrival and carry a trauma kit. Carry original documents at all times.Digital Security and Checkpoints
Travel with clean devices and enable remote wipe. Clear sensitive imagery, mapping data and affiliations. Turn off geolocation and cloud sync. Plan for connectivity outages, especially in the Kurdistan Region.Movement and Operational Security
Avoid Al-Anbar and the western desert given ISIS and limited state control. Monitor airspace and flight status given ongoing strike risk. Expect state and militia checkpoints. Stay strictly on established routes in former conflict areas.Conduct and Legal Compliance
Dress conservatively and defer to local guidance. Avoid sectarian and political topics. Never photograph forces, militias or installations.This report is provided for information only and does not constitute travel or security advice. Ratings are indicative and subject to change without notice. Confirm current conditions with Hotspot Cover before any deployment.
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