The US State Department ordered the departure of "non-emergency government employees" on Wednesday, the embassy in Baghdad said in a statement, recommending those affected "depart by commercial transportation as soon as possible".
"Normal visa services at both posts [the embassy in Baghdad and consulate in Erbil] will be temporarily suspended. The US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in Iraq", the diplomats said.
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Despite this the US-led coalition's deputy commander, British Maj. Gen. Christopher Ghika noted earlier this week that the threat level by Iranian-backed groups against coalition forces in Iraq has not risen recently.