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US Threatens to Close Embassy in Baghdad

VOA News

   The United States is threatening to close its embassy in Baghdad amid
   frustrations over attacks by Shi'ite militias.

   News organizationsquoted U.S. and Iraqi officials Sundayassaying U.S.
   Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Iraqi leaders in recent days that
   the embassy would close unless Iraqworked to stop attacks on U.S.
   military and diplomatic sites.

   Pompeo has not discussed the matter publicly, but the State Department
   said Sunday that"Iran-backed groups launching rockets at our embassy
   are a danger not only to us, but to the Government of Iraq."

   The United States has demanded Iraqi action before, saying in
   JanuarythatIraq has an obligation to protect U.S. diplomatic facilities
   in the country.

   That message came weeks after the U.S. military responded to a series
   of attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraqwith an airstrike that killed
   Iran's top general, Qassem Soleimani,andsenior Iraqi militia commander
   Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis,outside the Baghdad airport.

   The strike sparked a round of protests in Iraq, with demonstrators,
   andseveralIraqi lawmakers, objecting to the U.S. action as a violation
   of Iraqi sovereignty and calling on the government to expel U.S.
   troops.

   The U.S. forcesare in Iraq to advise and assist Iraqi forces in their
   missions against Islamic State militants. The Pentagon announced
   earlier this month the U.S. troop presence would drop from 5,200 to
   3,000.

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