ISTANBUL / Layth al-Junaidi / Anadolu

The United States Embassy in Baghdad renewed on Thursday its warning to American citizens against traveling to Iraq.

The embassy called on Americans in Iraq to exercise the highest levels of caution and vigilance, following drone attacks in the city of Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq on Wednesday.

The embassy said in a statement: 'American citizens in Iraq are advised to maintain the highest levels of vigilance, follow local media, and adhere to instructions from local authorities.'

It attributed its warning to what it described as 'attacks carried out by Iranian-backed drones in Erbil on July 15 of this month.'

It warned of the possibility of travel disruptions and closure of airspace 'at any time and with short notice.'

The embassy reminded American citizens that Iraq is under a Level 4 travel advisory, which means 'Do Not Travel.'

It added: 'Do not travel to Iraq due to terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, civil unrest, and the limited ability of the U.S. government to provide emergency services to American citizens in Iraq.'

The U.S. embassy stressed the need not to travel to Iraq 'for any reason.'

On Wednesday evening, the Counter-Terrorism Service in the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq announced that international coalition forces shot down 8 drones in the skies of Erbil province, with no human casualties.

The service described the drones as of unknown origin, while the U.S. embassy said the attacks were carried out by 'Iranian-backed' drones.

The developments come amid renewed military escalation between the United States and Iran, and an increase in drone and missile attacks on sites housing U.S. forces in the region.