US withdrawal not in the interest of the Iraqi people, Iraqi FM tells Pompeo

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein on Friday told his American counterpart Mike Pompeo that Baghdad is “concerned” about the possible closure of the American embassy, adding that it is not in the interest of the Iraqi people.

“The Minister expressed concern about this decision, and despite the decision being a sovereign matter for the American side, it may lead to results that would not be in the interest of the Iraqi people,” the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

Hussein emphasized the importance of the Iraqi government taking further security measures to stop attacks on the Green Zone, which hosts foreign diplomatic missions, and the capital’s airport, home to a US-led coalition base. 

“Tangible positive results will be felt in the near future,” added Hussein. 

Militas loyal to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force carried out at least 25 attacks on convoys carrying supplies to US or coalition facilities, Baghdad airport and the Green Zone in September alone. 

When Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi visited Washington in August, he received assurances that the Trump administration would continue supporting Iraqi security forces in fighting the remnants of the Islamic State (ISIS).

“We reaffirm our commitment to a long-term security cooperation to build Iraq’s military capability and address threats to our shared interests,” read a joint statement from Kadhimi and US President Donald Trump. 

Pompeo, however, reached out to Kadhimi last month and threatened to close the US embassy if attacks by the Iran-aligned militias continued. There were talks of the US embassy being moved to Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, as the Iraqi leadership scrambled to contain the damage and persuade the Americans to stay put.

This was followed by a brazen rocket attack on Erbil International Airport earlier this week. 

FM Hussein also emphasized the importance of bilateral relations between the two countries, and both parties pledged to continue their dialogue in order to find a solution to the current crisis.