Posted on 01/01/2020 4:59:59 PM PST by SeekAndFind
Iraqi protesters withdrew from the perimeter of the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad on the second day of demonstrations against deadly U.S. airstrikes last weekend, U.S. officials said.
"All protesters withdrew from the area in front of the US embassy and left the Green Zone. The embassy is now completely surrounded and secured by security forces," the Joint Operation Command said Wednesday.
On Wednesday, 250 to 300 protesters gathered outside the compound walls, where Iraqi security forces had also assembled to protect the integrity of the embassy, a senior Iraqi security official told NBC News on condition of anonymity.
Video circulated on social media that appeared to show protesters scaling a compound building, and agencies published video of what appeared to be demonstrators throwing stones at embassy buildings. It was unclear whether the protesters were militia members, their supporters or both.
The protesters were demonstrating against deadly U.S. airstrikes Sunday on weapons depots in Iraq and Syria that the United States said were linked to an Iran-backed Shiite militia group, Kataeb Hezbollah. At least 25 fighters were killed in the strikes.
The United States blames the militia for attacks in recent months on the bases of the U.S.-led coalition that is fighting the Islamic State. Earlier Wednesday, U.S. security forces had fired tear gas into the crowd.
"The situation around Embassy Baghdad has improved," a State Department spokesperson said Wednesday. "We appreciate the effective measures the Government of Iraq has taken to improve the situation and to prevent further attacks against our diplomatic mission."
The pro-Iran protesters had camped outside the gates of the embassy overnight after thousands stormed the compound on Tuesday, with some making it as far as the main reception area before failing to gain access to the main building.
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcnews.com ...
Perimeter security is reportedly under the command of LTC Vindman. /sarc
"Oh say can you see?"
DM has pictures of a burned out area. This could have turned into a Benghazi if Clinton was POTUS
MSM is sad. They were hoping for another hostage or Ben Ghazi.
Awesome Presidential leadership. Now, did we get thise faces on video. Our Devil dogs could deliver a personal um warning to the protestitutes bedsides. Nighty night, sleeo tight.. don’t let the Devil Dogs bite.
When all the smoke clears the embassy area, we need to have a long talk with Iraq. What happened?
Why didn’t you guys defend your own territory against Iran?
You have done it before, even more than once.
Why, did Iraq sort of allow the Iranians to enter the perimeter? Whatever the answer, America needs to get out of there. We don’t need them. If they are still ‘not yet trained’ to defend their homeland, they won’t ever be.
Same as in Afghanistan.
This picture reminds me of the way Obama saluted the Marine at the bottom of the helicopter stairs. Obama held his hand vertically next to his eye, making it look like he was trying to hide the marine from his line of vision. Was he?
Hope our guys are locked/loaded/on their toes tonight and early tomorrow .. watch for the rag bastards comin’ outta the sunrise in the morning . . .
Can we just take oil and airports and leave rest to them?
Dear Middle East animals: This isn’t the way to apply for a visa, anymore.
There’s a new POTUS in charge. You are now WAY at the back of the line now
If he had raised his elbow to the proper angle, he would have smacked the Marine in the face or chest.
The Iraqi government is “shared” with Iranian oriented Shiahs now. Saddam excluded the Shia. That is the difference now.
That’s what I thought at the time of the Gulf War. We needed a centrally located base (central to the ME) and should have taken one not too far from Basra and taken Basra. From that we should have taken over oil production and export and paid the Iraqis “royalties” but kept the oil. With the main base and Basra we then should have left the rest of the country to its own devices while protecting our assets.
Winning!!!!
I don’t believe so.
He is just an insincere, self dealing, jackass...
I'll bet they did!
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