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A US soldier ensures the security of the US embassy area in Baghdad, Iraq – Photo: REUTERS
Associated Reuters The United States was willing to withdraw diplomats from Iraq, citing sources on September 29, after warning Baghdad that the country could close the US embassy in Iraq, a step Iraqis feared. turning your country into a war zone.
Follow ReutersAny move by the United States to reduce its presence in Iraq, where Washington has more than 5,000 troops, will be seen as an escalation against Iran. The United States has blamed Iran for missile and bomb attacks directed against them in the past.
A week ago, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo threatened to shut down the US embassy when he had a phone call with Iraqi President Barham Salih, according to two Iraqi government sources. Information about the call was initially published by an Iraqi news site.
According to the two previous sources and two Western diplomats, late last week, the United States began preparations to withdraw diplomats from Iraq if Washington officially ordered the closure of the embassy.
Iraqis fear that after the United States removes its diplomats from Iraq, there will be swift military action against forces that Washington previously accused of being behind the attacks. Reuters.
Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr last week urged the parties to avoid moves that aggravate the situation and turn Iraq into a battlefield.
A Western diplomat said the Trump administration “does not want to limit its options” to undermine Iran or pro-Iran groups in Iraq. When asked if he thought Washington would respond with economic or military measures, the diplomat replied: “There will be attacks.”
When asked about the plan to withdraw diplomats from Iraq, the State Department said: “We have never commented on the US Secretary’s private diplomatic discussions with foreign leaders.
Iranian-backed groups have fired rockets at our embassy and pose a threat not only to us but also to the Iraqi government. “
Earlier this month, the US military said it would reduce the number of troops in Iraq from 5,200 to 3,000. The Pentagon said it was committed to supporting Iraq’s long-term “security, stability and prosperity” and that US military operations against terrorism would continue.
Rocket crashes again in the Blue Zone, near the US embassy in Iraq
