Trump decides to withdraw diplomats from Iraq

President Donald Trump has decided to withdraw about half of his country’s diplomats in Iraq amid escalating tensions with Iran, ahead of the first anniversary of the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani, Politico newspaper reported, citing US officials .

The paper explained that the officials assured her of the decision to reduce the number of staff, noting that the order is supposed to be temporary and it is not clear when the diplomats will resume their work.

Up to half of the US embassy and other diplomatic facilities in Iraq will leave, likely in “dozens,” the newspaper quoted an official as saying.

Earlier this year, Washington assassinated senior IRGC commander General Qassem Soleimani with an air strike near Baghdad airport, and a few days later Iran responded by targeting two military bases in Iraq that included US soldiers.