America
US orders non-emergency government staff to leave Iraq
Washington, May 15
The US State Department on Wednesday ordered the departure of non-emergency US government employees from Iraq amid increasing tensions with Iran and warned American citizens not to travel to the country, citing a "high risk for violence and kidnapping".
The announcement comes on the heels of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's unannounced trip to Iraq where he said he spoke to officials about the country's ability to protect Americans.
The action also represents the latest manoeuvering by the Donald Trump administration in the Middle East, where the Pentagon has positioned a carrier strike group and a bomber task force, CNN reported.
The department said in a statement that employees working in the US Embassy in Baghdad and the US Consulate in Erbil were instructed to leave Iraq and that "normal visa services will be temporarily suspended at both posts".
According to the statement, American Citizens Services employees who were working in the Embassy in Baghdad "will continue to provide consular services to US citizens in Basra".
The department said the sudden changes came due to the US government's "ability to provide routine and emergency services to US citizens in Iraq is extremely limited" and that as a result, the threat of "terrorism, kidnapping and armed conflict" aimed at Americans in the country was too great a risk.
It added that Americans "should not travel through Iraq to Syria to engage in armed conflict" as they may face similar threats there and face "legal risks" from both Washington and Damascus.
The orders from the State Department come a day after US Central Command, which oversees US military operations in the Middle East, said that the Pentagon has increased the threat risk for US troops in Iraq and Syria.
There is a tense situation in the Middle East after President Trump decided not to re-issue the sanctions waivers for major importers to continue buying Iran's oil when they expired in early May.
The announcement comes on the heels of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's unannounced trip to Iraq where he said he spoke to officials about the country's ability to protect Americans.
The action also represents the latest manoeuvering by the Donald Trump administration in the Middle East, where the Pentagon has positioned a carrier strike group and a bomber task force, CNN reported.
The department said in a statement that employees working in the US Embassy in Baghdad and the US Consulate in Erbil were instructed to leave Iraq and that "normal visa services will be temporarily suspended at both posts".
According to the statement, American Citizens Services employees who were working in the Embassy in Baghdad "will continue to provide consular services to US citizens in Basra".
The department said the sudden changes came due to the US government's "ability to provide routine and emergency services to US citizens in Iraq is extremely limited" and that as a result, the threat of "terrorism, kidnapping and armed conflict" aimed at Americans in the country was too great a risk.
It added that Americans "should not travel through Iraq to Syria to engage in armed conflict" as they may face similar threats there and face "legal risks" from both Washington and Damascus.
The orders from the State Department come a day after US Central Command, which oversees US military operations in the Middle East, said that the Pentagon has increased the threat risk for US troops in Iraq and Syria.
There is a tense situation in the Middle East after President Trump decided not to re-issue the sanctions waivers for major importers to continue buying Iran's oil when they expired in early May.

4 minutes ago
Microsoft to lay off nearly 9,000 employees, Gaming vertical to hit hard

5 minutes ago
Domestic investors infuse $1.4 bn in Indian real estate in Jan-June, up 53 pc

6 minutes ago
ESIC throws open digital registrations under SPREE 2025 to expand coverage

7 minutes ago
AIIMS Bhopal performs first artificial jaw replacement surgery

9 minutes ago
Indian Covid vaccines developed with rigorous protocols, global standards: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw

13 minutes ago
Australian scientists discover proteins that could help fight cancer, slow ageing

15 minutes ago
Dengue fever surges in US states prompt health officials to brace for new normal

16 minutes ago
‘Never imagined it would happen’: Kettleborough on overtaking idol David Shepherd

18 minutes ago
Top shooters back in India reckoning post Dehradun Rifle/Pistol trials

20 minutes ago
2nd Test: Tendulkar lauds 'fearless' Jaiswal and 'cool' Gill for classy knocks on Day 1

21 minutes ago
Stage set for National Sub-Junior Hockey Championships in division-based format

22 minutes ago
Shubman Gill is a world-class player with a bright future: Jonathan Trott

23 minutes ago
'It was unexpected': Taskin Ahmed on Bangladesh's worst batting collapse against SL