Foreign

Iraq ‘regrets’ US closure of Basra consulate

Published

6 years ago

September 29, 2018

Iraq ’ s foreign ministry voiced “ regret ” on Saturday over a US decision to shut its consulate in the southern city of Basra which has been rocked by weeks of deadly protests .
“ The ministry regrets the American decision to pull its staff out of Basra , ” a statement said .

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ordered all but emergency staff to leave Basra , with consular duties to be taken over by the embassy in Baghdad .

He blamed Iranian militias for “ indirect fire ” against the US consulate .
The State Department also sent out a renewed advisory urging Americans not to travel to Iraq .

Basra has been at the centre of protests that broke out in the southern province in July before spreading to other parts of the country , as demonstrators railed against poor services and condemned corruption among government officials .

Protesters have set fire to several government buildings as well as headquarters of political parties and militias backed by Iran , which saw its consulate in Basra burnt to the ground .

In Baghdad in early September , assailants fired three mortar rounds into the Green Zone , a heavily fortified area which is home to the Iraqi parliament , government offices and the US embassy .

The rare attack did not cause casualties or damage .

Neighbouring Iran is the other major outside power present in Iraq , alongside bitter foe the United States which led the 2003 invasion that toppled veteran dictator Saddam Hussein .

( AFP )