U.S. warns Iraqi government that it will close Baghdad embassy if attacks don’t stop

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The U.S. has warned Baghdad that if it doesn’t put an end to attacks on the U.S. embassy in the country’s capital, it will relocate its personnel out of the country or relocate them to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

U.S. sources in Iraq revealed that they have information about a plan to storm the U.S. embassy with the goal of taking hostages.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a series of demands to Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi to avoid the closure of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, the sources said.

For his part, al-Arabiya TV reporter reported that Pompeo informed al-Kadhimi of Washington’s annoyance at the continued targeting of the U.S. embassy.

A report by Al-Arabiya TV stated that Washington has given al-Kadhimi one last chance to deter factions targeting the embassy. According to their sources, Pompeo’s deadline for the Iraqi leadership is Monday.

On Sunday, a meeting was held between Iraqi President Barham Salih, Speaker of the Council of Representatives Mohammed al-Halbousi, and President of the Supreme Judicial Council Faiq Zidan to discuss the security and political developments and the potential serious repercussions of the U.S. withdrawal.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the three expressed support efforts to restrict the use of arms to the state, protect diplomatic missions, and swiftly address illegal acts.

They warned that the actions of outlawed groups against the country’s security and sovereignty are heading towards “a dangerous trend that exposes the stability of Iraq to real risks” and called for the county to “close ranks and take a unified, serious, and decisive position to prevent further repercussions and take practical measures to ensure security and stability.”