US embassy in Baghdad urges citizens to 'depart Iraq immediately'

US citizens should depart via airline while possible, and failing that, to other countries via land, the embassy said in a statement.

Iraqi army soldiers are deployed in front of the U.S. embassy, in Baghdad, Iraq. (Photo | AP) 

BAGHDAD: The US embassy in Baghdad urged American citizens in Iraq on Friday to "depart immediately", for fear of fallout from a US strike that killed top Iranian and Iraqi commanders.

"US citizens should depart via airline while possible, and failing that, to other countries via land," the embassy said in a statement.

The US strike hit outside Baghdad airport early Friday but security sources told AFP it was still open to flights.