Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

Washington DC, May 16: The United States has on Wednesday said it remains committed to partnering with Iraq in order to advance mutual interests, after officially ordering non-emergency government staffs to immediately leave Iraq.

A US state department spokesperson told ANI: “Given the increased threat stream we are seeing in Iraq, which we shared the Iraqi government during the secretary’s visit on May 7 and in subsequent engagements, the secretary has decided to place Mission Iraq on ordered departure.”

The spokesperson added saying, “Mission Iraq will have limited ability to provide emergency services to American citizens in Iraq … Ensuring the safety of US government personnel and US citizens and security of our facilities are our highest priorities.”

In the end, it added the US remains committed to partnering with Iraqis in order to advance both nation’s mutual interests.

US withdrawal of non-emergency employees comes amid tension rising in the Middle East after President Donald Trump administration cautioned of potential threats from Iran against US forces in the region.

American Embassy in Iraq said on Wednesday that the US State Department has ordered the non-emergency staff at the embassy in Baghdad and the consulate in Erbil to leave.

Earlier, the US military said the American forces were on high alert in Iraq and Syria over fears of “imminent threats” from Iran-backed forces in the region.

 

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