SME Times is powered by   
Search News
Just in:   • India's industrial production registers 1.2 per cent growth in May  • Govt committed to building safe and smart energy future: Minister  • Sanchez defends Spain's defence budget in response to Trump's threats  • Iran says no agreement made to resume US talks  • India’s engineering goods exports to US rose 4.6 pc in May despite tariff turmoil 
Last updated: 15 May, 2019  

Iraq Map US orders non-emergency government staff to leave Iraq

iraq-map-4141355.jpg
   Top Stories
» India's industrial production registers 1.2 per cent growth in May
» Govt committed to building safe and smart energy future: Minister
» QCOs benefit MSMEs by enhancing product quality, consumer satisfaction: Piyush Goyal
» Stock market opens higher as Trump indicates ‘great’ trade deal with India
» Make GIFT IFSC more competitive to attract foreign investments: FM Sitharaman
IANS | 15 May, 2019
The US State Department on Wednesday ordered the departure of non-emergency US government employees from Iraq amid increasing tensions with Iran and warned American citizens not to travel to the country, citing a "high risk for violence and kidnapping".

The announcement comes on the heels of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's unannounced trip to Iraq where he said he spoke to officials about the country's ability to protect Americans.

The action also represents the latest manoeuvering by the Donald Trump administration in the Middle East, where the Pentagon has positioned a carrier strike group and a bomber task force, CNN reported.

The department said in a statement that employees working in the US Embassy in Baghdad and the US Consulate in Erbil were instructed to leave Iraq and that "normal visa services will be temporarily suspended at both posts".

According to the statement, American Citizens Services employees who were working in the Embassy in Baghdad "will continue to provide consular services to US citizens in Basra".

The department said the sudden changes came due to the US government's "ability to provide routine and emergency services to US citizens in Iraq is extremely limited" and that as a result, the threat of "terrorism, kidnapping and armed conflict" aimed at Americans in the country was too great a risk.

It added that Americans "should not travel through Iraq to Syria to engage in armed conflict" as they may face similar threats there and face "legal risks" from both Washington and Damascus.

The orders from the State Department come a day after US Central Command, which oversees US military operations in the Middle East, said that the Pentagon has increased the threat risk for US troops in Iraq and Syria.

There is a tense situation in the Middle East after President Trump decided not to re-issue the sanctions waivers for major importers to continue buying Iran's oil when they expired in early May.

 
Print the Page
Add to Favorite
 
Share this on :
 

Please comment on this story:
 
Subject :
Message:
(Maximum 1500 characters)  Characters left 1500
Your name:
 

 
  Customs Exchange Rates
Currency Import Export
US Dollar
84.35
82.60
UK Pound
106.35
102.90
Euro
92.50
89.35
Japanese Yen 55.05 53.40
As on 12 Oct, 2024
  Daily Poll
Do you think Indian businesses will be negatively affected by Trump's America First Policy?
 Yes
 No
 Can't Say
  Commented Stories
 
 
About Us  |   Advertise with Us  
  Useful Links  |   Terms and Conditions  |   Disclaimer  |   Contact Us  
Follow Us : Facebook Twitter