Turkey warned Turkish citizens on Wednesday against travelling to all of Iraqi provinces, excluding the provinces of Irbil, Dohuk and Sulaymaniyah, following increased threats from militant groups in the region.

The alert issued by the Turkish Foreing Ministry warned citizens against all "non-essential" travel to Iraq and said those who are currently in the country should leave the country as soon as possible.

The statement said that the travel warning on some parts of Iraq has been expanded to all provinces, except for the Dohuk, Irbil and Sulaymaniyah cities in the Kurdish region. The decision was taken after the increasing terror attacks, violence and kidnapping incidents against Turkish people and threats against Turkish firms.

"With this framework, we suggest Turkish citizens currently in Iraqi provinces of Basra, Dhikar, Necaf, Meysan, Babel, Diwaniyah, Anbar, Bakuba, Salahaddin, Ninova, Kirkuk to exercise particular caution, avoid large crowds or crowded places and be in connection with the Turkish embassy in Baghdad" said the alert.