US condemns forces in Baghdad: "Diplomats barricaded themselves in an armored room at the embassy"
Washington officials have made it clear that despite the breakout and violent demonstrations, US diplomats will not leave Iraq. Marine Corps fighters were dispatched to secure the embassy compound and fighter jets performed a purpose display in the area's sky. Iran has rejected Trump's claims that it is behind the incident: "US audacity"
US condemns forces in Baghdad: "Diplomats barricaded themselves in an armored room at the embassy"
Photo: Reuters, Edit: Shaul AdamThe United States will not vacate its embassy in Baghdad despite the protesters' burglary and additional forces will be dispatched to the area - US officials said Tuesday. A State Department spokesman made it clear that "crew members were safe and not a burglary." Secretary of Defense Mark Asper called on the Iraqi government to help protect US diplomats in the country, stressing that this is part of Baghdad's "international responsibility".
Other sources said a small Marines force is expected to be sent to the Baghdad embassy temporarily. Another official said that two "Apache" helicopters performed a "purpose display" in the complex's sky.
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After the attacks: Protesters break into US embassy in Baghdad Iraq following US attacks: We will reconsider our relationship with US Iran: "US supports terrorism"; Iraqi militias promise "tough" response And European passport promoted contentAmerican diplomats were not harmed. Protesters outside the embassy in Baghdad, today (Photo: Reuters)
Protesters break into US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq December 31, 2019 (Photo: Reuters)
According to a report in The Washington Post, inside the American diplomatic embassy and staff crowded into a sheltered room. Some protesters threw stones at the gate, while others shouted: "No, not America! No, not Trump." They were documented with fire at the gates, and deployed Iraqi special forces used tear gas to repel them.
U.S. security guards inside the complex fired tear gas to drive away Iranian-backed militia supporters, and U.S. armed forces appeared to be on alert in nearby rooftops, but they did not open fire. At the same time, embassy workers tried to extinguish the fire that broke out in the compound with extinguishers. The alarm sirens in the compound operated nonstop, with thick black smoke rising into the sky.
More in Walla! NEWS More in Walla! NEWSIran crossed the border, forcing the US to respond
To the full articleMarines will come to secure the embassy. US forces in Iraq (Photo: AP)
Marines, US Navy, set up military site in Al-Anbar area of Iraqi crossing on November 7, 2019 (Photo: AP)
Iran has rejected US President Donald Trump's claims that it is the one behind the violent embassy breach. "America has the surprising audacity to attribute to Iran the demonstrations of the Iraqi people against the barbaric (Washington) killing of at least 25 Iraqis," Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Musabi said.
Trump said Iran planned the attack on the embassy and warned it would carry "full responsibility." He added that the US attack in Iraq and Syria against Hezbollah regiments was in response to the killing of the US civilian on Friday in a rocket launching attack on a base in northern Iraq. He said Tehran was also responsible for this attack.
In a tweet on Twitter, Trump wrote that "Iran has killed an American contractor, and injured many. We reacted firmly, and will always respond. Now Iran is planning an attack on the US embassy in Iraq. And so we were updated. " Later, he expressed support for protesters against the Iranian government and influence: "For the millions in Iraq who want freedom and do not want to be controlled and influenced by Iran, this is your time!"
