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The secretary general of the Imam Ali Brigades and leader of the Popular Mobilization Forces, Cub al-Zaidi, warned today about what he called a US plot against Iraqi leaders who reject the foreign presence, at a time when the US embassy in Baghdad it announced that it had carried out a series of tests on emergency and alert devices.
Al-Zaidi said in a statement that the decision to remove the US embassy from Baghdad is the beginning of the implementation of this scheme, accusing the US of wreaking havoc in the southern regions of Iraq. Al-Zaidi called on those he described as wise people to come together and tackle malicious projects.
– Hajj Shebel Zaidi (@alzaidyshibl) September 28, 2020
Before that, Harakat al-Nujaba’s secretary general in Iraq, Akram al-Kaabi, said he was still awaiting the official position on what he called “military barracks that violate Iraqi sovereignty,” referring to the US embassy. in Baghdad.
On the other hand, Iraqi President Barham Salih and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein highlighted the need to protect diplomatic missions in the country.
This comes as a result of the three presidencies in Iraq that affirmed the need to restrict weapons to the hands of the state, protect diplomatic missions and confront illegal acts.
In a joint statement issued Sunday night, after a meeting between President Barham Salih, prime ministers and parliament, the Iraqi president’s office said the security developments the country witnessed in the recent period of attacks on civilian and military centers and headquarters, and the ongoing assassinations and kidnappings of civilian activists, all represent attacks on Iraq. And their teachers.
The three presidents emphasized that declaring war is the prerogative of the legislative and executive institutions of the state, and is not the right of any other party, nor to act on the basis of the state of war within Iraqi territories.
Today, Monday morning, we received the US Ambassador to Baghdad, Matthew Toller, and we discussed strengthening joint cooperation between Iraq and the United States in all fields, and ways to develop the growing relationship between Baghdad and Washington. pic.twitter.com/gXeNP73fiE
– Qassim Araji (@qassimalaraji) September 28, 2020
The American position
Meanwhile, the US Ambassador to Baghdad, Matthew Tueller, confirmed Monday, his country’s continued support for the Iraqi government in the areas of security and counterterrorism, and assistance to overcome current challenges.
This came during talks with Iraqi national security adviser Qassem Al-Araji today, which were concerned with enhancing joint cooperation between Iraq and the United States in all fields and ways to develop the growing relationship between Baghdad and Washington.
For his part, Al-Araji emphasized the need for the current stage to witness more stability and calm, so that the region and the world can enjoy security and stability.
On the ground, the US Embassy in Baghdad announced that it would conduct a series of tests that will last two days and will include emergency equipment and procedures, examining the sound of alarms and sirens.
Pompeo’s threat
The Washington Post quoted an informed source as saying that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has warned Iraqi officials that Washington plans to close its embassy in Baghdad if the attacks are not stopped.
In context, a US State Department spokesperson said, in response to a question from Al-Jazeera about information about the embassy closure, that their country will not tolerate threats to its citizens serving abroad, and It will not hesitate to take whatever action it deems necessary to maintain your safety.
The spokesman reiterated Washington’s position on what he described as the Iranian-backed illegal militias, which remain the biggest obstacle to stability in Iraq, as he himself put it.
He stressed that it is unacceptable to fire missiles at the US embassy in the country, attack US diplomats and others, and threaten law and order in Iraq. He also expressed the aspiration of the United States to continue working with its Iraqi partners to preserve the security of American personnel and facilities.
The Green Zone, which includes the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, as well as military bases that host coalition forces and convoys carrying international coalition logistics teams, are subject to missile and IED attacks by unknown, but Washington accuses factions close to Iran of being behind them.
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