United States (US) Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has warned Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi that the US will close its embassy in Baghdad if the government fails to control Iran-backed militias who have been threatening American personnel and troops stationed there. Reports suggest that Pompeo delivered the message via phone to both Kadhimi and President Barham Salih over the weekend, and expressed Washington’s frustrations with Iran-backed Shi’ite militias launching rocket attacks on diplomatic missions in the country.
For years, Iraq has also been caught between the clashing regional interests of its two major allies, the US and Iran, a situation that has become worse following the US’ withdrawal from the 2015 JCPOA nuclear agreement. Additionally, after the US’ killing of senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad in January this year, the Iraqi parliament voted to expel all foreign troops from the country, as Iran-backed armed groups vowed to avenge the killings. Since then, the militias have ramped up missile and bomb attacks on the US embassy and Iraqi military bases that host US-led coalition troops.
Though the State Department refused to comment on Pompeo’s “private diplomatic conversations” with the Iraqi leadership, it condemned the persistence of attacks against the United States, and said that they pose a threat not just to the Americans, but also “the Government of Iraq, neighboring diplomatic missions, and residents of the former International Zone and surrounding areas”.
The US has already made significant cuts to its military presence in Iraq. The withdrawal of soldiers, as well as diplomats, could be seen as a victory for Iran, who has long advocated for the drawdown of US forces in Iraq. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani met with Iraq’s Foreign Minister over the weekend and reiterated Tehran’s position on the matter, reportedly saying that the withdrawal of US troops from the region was a “collective duty”. Analysts have also said that a US pullout could not only set Kadhimi back in his fight against the militias but also risk military confrontation between the US and Iran with Iraq serving as the battleground.
Following the US warning, Iraqi officials swiftly condemned the attacks, and have reportedly even called on Kadhimi to set up a security committee to draw up a plan to address the issue. However, whether the measures initiated by Baghdad are enough to satisfy Washington remains to be seen. If the Trump administration decides to follow through on its threat, closing the embassy is expected to take 90 days, giving the US some time to reassess its decision.
US Warns Iraq of Embassy Shutdown in Response to Attacks on Personnel
Pompeo delivered the message via phone to PM Al-Kadhimi and President Barham Salih and expressed frustrations with Iran-backed Shi’ite militias launching rocket attacks on US diplomatic missions.
September 29, 2020
SOURCE: NBC NEWS/REUTERS