Protesters forcefully enter the US embassy in Iraq, the US ambassador has been evacuated

[Jultxxxyes]

Several people assaulted the US diplomatic mission on Tuesday. in Baghdad after this country carried out air strikes against the bases of the Shiite militia Kataib Hezbollah (KH).

Protests in front of the US embassy in Baghdad (Iraq), December 31, 2019.

 

The US ambassador in Iraq, Matthew H. Tueller, and other personnel of the US diplomatic mission have been evacuated Tuesday from the embassy while hundreds of people in Baghdad protest against the establishment against the recent US air strikes against the bases of the Shiite militia Kataib Hezbollah ( KH), according to Reuters, citing two officials from the country's Foreign Ministry.

Supporters of the Shiite militia managed to enter the embassy complex by force after breaking the main door and setting fire to a reception area, firing tear gas, according to AP.

It is reported that some members of the embassy protection staff are still within the delegation.

Last December 29, USA it attacked five bases of the Shiite militia Kataib Hezbollah (KH) in Iraq and Syria in response to the recent attacks against the Iraqi bases that house the coalition forces of Operation Inherent Resolution (OIR).

Meanwhile, on December 31, several protesters were seen waving Hezbollah flags and singing anti-American slogans in the Iraqi capital.

US attacks
Justifying his attack, Washington said the Shiite militia attacks against Iraqi bases that house the OIR coalition forces included more than 30 rockets, causing the death of a US citizen and wounding four US military personnel, as well as to two members of the Iraqi security forces.

"We will not tolerate the Islamic Republic of Iran taking measures that endanger American men and women," said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

The pro-Iranian Shiite militia group said at least 25 of their fighters were killed and several dozen were injured in US attacks.

For its part, Tehran condemned this US attitude. and called it "a clear example of terrorism," according to Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousaví. From Iran they also pointed out that the Islamic Republic has nothing to do with the attack against US military in Iraqi territory.

National duel
Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi also condemned the US attacks and warned that they would have "serious consequences."

Abdul Mahdi has also ordered from Tuesday to declare a 3-day national duel for the victims of the US attacks, according to the Iraqi News Agency (INA).