The US State Department has ordered all non-emergency government personnel in Iraq to leave the country days after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo paid a visit
BAGHDAD, Iraq – The United States on Wednesday ordered all non-emergency government employees to leave Iraq immediately.
“@StateDept has ordered the departure of non-emergency USG employees from Iraq, both at the Embassy in Baghdad and Consulate in Erbil,” the US Embassy in Baghdad tweeted.
In a statement, the Embassy said Washington has “limited ability to provide emergency services to the US citizens in Iraq.”
“Normal visa services at both posts in Iraq and Erbil will be temporarily suspended,” it added.
The decision came amid reports of rising tensions in the Middle East after the Trump administration warned of potential threats against American forces in the region from Iran or Iranian-backed proxies, the Voice of America reported.
