US Government Demands Evacuation of Defense Contractor Employees from Iraq and Kuwait
The United States government has formally urged defense contractor V2X to immediately evacuate its employees from military bases in both Kuwait and Iraq, issuing stark warnings that these workers could become targets of Iran-backed militia attacks. This urgent intervention follows extensive reporting by the Guardian newspaper, which revealed that V2X employees stationed at US military facilities were receiving inadequate protections while facing pressure to remain in the volatile Middle East region despite escalating security threats.
Heightened Security Concerns and Government Intervention
On April 9, representatives from the US Department of State conducted a critical meeting with V2X leadership, during which they expressed serious concerns about potential militia attacks targeting the Martyr Brigadier General Ali Flaih airbase in Iraq. According to multiple sources familiar with the discussions, government officials directly questioned why American personnel remained stationed at these high-risk locations. "The US government had a meeting with the company today questioning why Americans are still on base, asking if the articles in the Guardian are true," revealed one anonymous source who feared reprisals from the company. "V2X told the government that they had to keep them there to 'please the client', and the company was told, 'You know they'll kill them. It's just too dangerous.'"
During this pivotal meeting, government officials specifically inquired whether V2X had contacted US Central Command (Centcom) for assistance in evacuating their staff. Additionally, they ordered an airplane to be returned to base in preparation for potential emergency evacuation scenarios, demonstrating the seriousness of the security situation.
Employee Safety Concerns and Contractual Pressures
V2X employees stationed at the Martyr Brigadier General Ali Flaih airbase, also known as Balad airbase, report having no formal evacuation plans despite daily security threats. Workers interviewed by the Guardian revealed that management has explicitly warned that any attempt to leave would be classified as a "voluntary evacuation" resulting in immediate job termination, as the company maintains the security situation is not sufficiently dire to warrant official evacuation measures. Sources allege that V2X's reluctance to evacuate workers stems from fears that the Iraqi government might terminate their lucrative $252 million Logistics Civil Augmentation Program contract, which provides base operating support and security services throughout Iraq.
"I'm starting to feel like I won't make it out of here," confessed one distressed employee. "Everyone is anxious and scared." Workers describe hearing and seeing drone activity and gunfire on most days and nights, significantly impacting their mental health and ability to sleep. An internal email sent to employees on April 14 explicitly stated: "The overall regional threat environment, particularly for US personnel, facilities and energy infrastructure, remains assessed as VERY HIGH, with minimal warning time for escalation." The communication further warned that Iranian-aligned proxy groups retain both the capability and intent to conduct attacks against US-associated targets within Iraq.
Inadequate Protective Measures and Recent Incidents
Employees have repeatedly raised concerns with V2X leadership about insufficient protective measures, particularly noting that bunkers on the base do not provide adequate protection against potential attacks. In response to requests for sandbagging and reinforcement of these bunkers, company management acknowledged they were "looking at this to be accomplished" but provided no concrete timeline for improvements.
The security situation was further highlighted earlier this month when an Iraqi soldier accidentally fired one of the base's own defense weapons into the camp, damaging a fortified wall surrounding living quarters. While senior leadership investigated the incident and disciplined the soldier, this event underscored the precarious security environment. Additionally, workers received warnings about risks from unexploded ordnance on the base, adding to their daily safety concerns.
Partial Evacuations and Continued Presence
Following the Guardian's reporting and subsequent US government pressure, V2X evacuated approximately 100 employees from Erbil in northern Iraq on April 14. "Soon after the article came out and after airspace resumed, they sent out 104 employees by charter plane to their homes," explained a third source familiar with the evacuation. "But not everybody got to leave. The company said the military still requires us for assistance with missions." Those evacuated were described as "excited like little school kids" by a fourth source.
However, V2X maintains a significant presence in Erbil under an active contract, with several hundred employees primarily consisting of American, Indian, and Kenyan nationals. After conflict escalation, most personnel were housed in a local hotel that lacked proper security measures and allowed unrestricted public access, heightening fears among employees about potential targeting by Iran-aligned militant groups operating in the region. These concerns intensified when several senior V2X managers, including the task order manager and site manager, evacuated from Erbil in late March while other employees remained.
The tragic reality of these security threats was confirmed in March when one V2X employee was killed in a night-time drone attack in Iraq, underscoring the genuine dangers faced by contractors in the region. Despite multiple requests for comment from the Guardian, V2X has not responded to inquiries about these security concerns or their evacuation procedures.
