The US Embassy in Baghdad affirms its commitment to a strong partnership with Iraq

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Baghdad / Obelisk: The US Embassy in Iraq, Thursday, December 3, 2020, commented on the news of the withdrawal of its staff from the capital, Baghdad, while confirming our commitment to a strong diplomatic partnership with Iraq, and the diplomatic mission in Iraq, led by Ambassador Matthew Toller, continues to work.

The media office at the embassy responded to a question by Russian RT about the fact of news about the withdrawal of its employees, and confirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is constantly working on making adjustments regarding its diplomatic presence in embassies and consulates scattered around the world in line with its diplomatic missions and the security environment in those countries, And the health status, and even public holidays.

He added that ensuring the safety of US government employees and American citizens and the security of our facilities is our top priority.

He continued: We do not comment on the details of any amendments, but we affirm our commitment to a strong diplomatic partnership with Iraq, and Ambassador Matthew Toller is still present at his head of work in Baghdad, and the diplomatic mission in Iraq continues to operate.

And the American Politico magazine reported, Wednesday, December 2, 2020, that President Donald Trump’s administration decided to withdraw about half of the number of diplomats from the US embassy in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.

On Wednesday, December 2, 2020, two senior Iraqi officials stated that the United States is about to reduce the number of its diplomats working in its embassy in Baghdad, in a temporary security measure, according to Agence France-Presse.

Politico newspaper said that US officials, one of them in the State Department, had confirmed that the withdrawal of the diplomats would be temporary.

In light of the escalating tension between the United States and Iran, the date for the return of diplomats to the embassy in Baghdad remains unknown, according to the magazine.
The embassy and other US military sites in Iraq have been targeted by dozens of missiles this year.

In a statement to France Press, a senior Iraqi official attributed the decision to reduce the number of US diplomatic personnel to security concerns.

The official said: It is a small reduction based on security reservations on the American side, and they can return, it is a temporary security measure.

He added: We knew this in advance, and a high-level diplomatic team will remain, including the ambassador, and this is not severing diplomatic ties.

Analyzes indicate that Washington took this decision to coincide with the anniversary of the assassination of the Iranian Quds Force commander, Qassem Soleimani, with the commander in the Popular Mobilization Forces, Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis.

A second senior Iraqi official confirmed that the US measure was aimed at reducing the risks.

A spokesman for the US State Department refused to comment on the issue, but stressed that the safety of US diplomats, citizens, and facilities in Iraq “remains our top priority.”

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