The United States ended the combat mission in Iraq on Aug. 31, 2010, and is scheduled to complete its withdrawal of military forces by the end of 2011.
The Iraqi Kurdistan Region has been more stable relative to the rest of Iraq in recent years, but the security situation throughout the country remains dangerous. While sectarian and terrorist violence occurs at levels lower than in previous years, it occurs often, particularly in the provinces of Baghdad, Ninewa, Salah ad Din, Anbar and Diyala. US citizens remain at a high risk for kidnapping.
The Turkish military continues to carry out operations against elements of the Kongra-Gel terrorist group (formerly the Kurdistan Workers’ Party) along Iraq’s northern border. Unmarked minefields remain along the border.