[Asia Economy International Desk Reporter] Pro-Iranian Shiite militias and their supporters in Iraq withdrew from around the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on the 1st (local time), according to foreign media including Bloomberg News.
They had gathered at the U.S. Embassy for two days starting the previous day to protest the U.S. military's airstrikes on five bases of the Shiite militia Kata'ib Hezbollah on the 29th of last month, which killed 25 members and injured over 50. The protesters attempted to enter and set fire to the embassy during an overnight demonstration.
According to Bloomberg News, Kata'ib Hezbollah requested the protesters to withdraw "in respect of the Iraqi government's decision and national dignity," and the protesters accepted, relocating their protest tents to an area facing the U.S. Embassy across the Tigris River. The protesters also urged the Iraqi parliament to revoke the U.S. military's stationing authorization.
Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump strongly warned that Iran was behind the protesters' attack on the U.S. Embassy. President Trump posted on his Twitter, "If there is any loss of life or damage to our facilities (in Iraq), Iran will be held fully responsible. They will pay a very big price. This is not a warning, it is a threat."
Previously, on the 27th, after about 30 rockets fell on a U.S. military base in Kirkuk, Iraq, killing one American civilian and injuring several U.S. soldiers, the U.S. military identified Kata'ib Hezbollah as responsible and launched a sudden airstrike on the 29th.
The U.S. military also announced that it would deploy a 750-member Marine Corps crisis response special unit in response to the attack on the U.S. Embassy the previous night.
Meanwhile, the Iraqi government strongly opposed the U.S. airstrikes on Shiite militia bases, calling it a violation of sovereignty. Prime Minister Abdul-Mahdi expressed dissatisfaction during a phone call with President Trump the previous day, stating, "I clearly warned U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper two days ago about the serious consequences of attacking Shiite militias, yet the airstrikes were carried out."
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