Pakistan issues travel advisory for Iraq

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday issued a travel advisory for Iraq, cautioning its citizens to exercise maximum caution while planning visit to Iraq at this point.

“In view of recent developments and the prevailing security situation in the region, Pakistani nationals are advised to exercise maximum caution while planning visit to Iraq at this point,” the foreign affairs ministry said in a statement.

“Those already in Iraq are advised to remain in close contact with the Embassy of Pakistan in Baghdad.”

This came after Iran fired missiles at Iraqi bases housing the US military, officials in Washington and Tehran said, in the first act of the Islamic republic’s promised revenge for the US killing of a top Iranian general.

The Pentagon said it was still “working on initial battle damage assessments” after “Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against US military and coalition forces in Iraq.”

“It is clear that these missiles were launched from Iran and targeted at least two Iraqi military bases hosting US military and coalition personnel” at Ain al-Asad and Arbil, the Pentagon said.

There were no immediate reports on casualties.

The Pentagon said the facilities had been on “high alert” after days of steadily mounting tension and exchanges of threats of war.