The United States announced that they will close 21 embassies around the world on Sunday including its Consulate General in Erbil, capital of Kurdistan, and issued a travel alert over security concerns linked to Al Qaeda.

The State Department listed the embassies on Friday, which range from Algeria to Yemen and beyond. Spokeswoman Marie Harf on Thursday called the step "precautionary."

A travel alert issued Friday said department information suggests there might be an increased risk of attacks by Al Qaeda or affiliates for the month of August.

"The Department of State has instructed certain US embassies and consulates to remain closed or to suspend operations on Sunday, Aug. 4," Harf told reporters.

The decision was taken "out of an abundance of caution and care for our employees and others who may be visiting our installations," she said.

Iraq is among the countries that the US State Department listed and they will also close their Erbil’s consulate-general on Sunday, August 4.