The Foreign Office has issued a stringent 'do not travel' warning for Iraq, citing an elevated risk of kidnapping. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) updated its travel advice on Wednesday, May 6, with 'updated information about risks from terrorist kidnap' on the 'Safety and security' page.
The FCDO now advises against all travel to Iraq, warning that 'there is a high threat of kidnapping throughout Iraq. This includes both from Daesh and other terrorist and militant groups.' The advisory urges travellers to 'keep your security arrangements up-to-date and carefully plan any travel plans,' noting that kidnappings can be motivated by ideology, finance, or political gain.
British nationals are explicitly highlighted as potential targets, including tourists, humanitarian aid workers, oil workers, journalists, and business travellers. The FCDO emphasises that 'if you are kidnapped, the reason for your presence is unlikely to protect you or secure your safe release.'
The British Government maintains a long-standing policy of not making substantive concessions to hostage takers. The FCDO states: 'The British Government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners builds the capability of terrorist groups and finances their activities. This can, in turn, increase the risk of further hostage-taking. The Terrorism Act (2000) makes payments to terrorists illegal.'
This warning follows the recent release of a US freelance journalist who was kidnapped in Baghdad in March. Shelly Kittleson was taken on March 31 by an Iran-backed militia group, Kataib Hezbollah, which later released her on condition she leave Iraq immediately. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the release, thanking Iraqi officials for their assistance and stating that the US is 'working to support her safe departure from Iraq.'
