The United States has warned the Iraqi authorities of its intention to completely close the Embassy in Baghdad if the rocket attacks do not stop. This is reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing sources.
According to sources, US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo announced the plans to Iraqi President Barham Saleh and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kazemi. It was noted that the political decision was made by President Donald trump.
Washington has begun taking preliminary steps to close the Embassy. An Iraqi official said the diplomatic mission would be shut down within two to three months and that the decision could be linked to the withdrawal of us troops from the country.
“We hope that the us administration will reconsider this proposal. There are groups of criminals who are trying to shake this relationship, and closing the Embassy will send a negative signal to them,” said al — Kadhimi spokesman Ahmed Mullah Talal.
At the same time, the US should keep its Consulate in Erbil. U.S. officials have warned that if the Embassy is closed, the United States military will strike Shiite militias that have shelled American facilities.
The decision to withdraw troops from Iraq was made after the us military killed General of the Iranian special forces “al-Quds” IRGC Qassem Suleimani in Baghdad. The order to eliminate it was given personally by trump. Washington explained its actions as self-defense, since several attacks were made on the bases of the international coalition and the American Embassy. Tehran called the General’s murder an act of terrorism.