Published on

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

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Common Dreams

Tear Gas Fired, Gunshots Ring Out as Thousands of Iraqis Surround US Embassy to Condemn Trump Airstrikes

"This may be the beginning of the end for the U.S. occupation."

by

Jake Johnson, staff writer

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Thousands of Iraqis descended on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad to protest the Trump administration's airstrikes. (Photo: Liz Sly/Twitter)

This is a developing news story... Check back for possible updates...

Thousands of Iraqis smashed through a checkpoint and converged on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday to protest the Trump administration's deadly airstrikes over the weekend and demand that American troops and diplomats leave the country.

Matthew Tueller, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, and members of his staff were reportedly forced to flee the building as the embassy protests intensified.

According to Reuters, "some protesters threw stones at the gate while others chanted, 'No, no, America! ... No, no, Trump!'" Demonstrators said they intend to remain outside the embassy until it closes.

Washington Post journalist Liz Sly, who is on the ground covering the protest, called it a very "dangerous situation" as tear gas was fired at demonstrators and some reported hearing gunshots.

"This may be the beginning of the end for the U.S. occupation," tweeted one observer.

Conflict News@Conflicts

IRAQ: Scene outside the US embassy in Baghdad as more protesters arrive in the wake of US retaliation airstrikes against Katai'b Hezbollah positions. - @KARRARISMAILM

Baxtiyar Goran

✔@BaxtiyarGoran

The situation in front of US Embassy in Baghdad.
Two security posts burned by Hashd al-Shaabi. #Iraq

Ragıp Soylu

✔@ragipsoylu

Replying to @ragipsoylu

Another video from the US Embassy in Baghdad

American soldiers just wait inside.

Meanwhile multiple reports say at least a dozen injuries outside the Embassy, some say due to smoke bombs fired by the US security

The Pentagon said Sunday's airstrikes against the Iraqi Kataib Hezbollah militia were retaliation for rocket attacks that killed an American contractor. The U.S. strikes, which hit targets in Syria and Iraq, killed at least 25 people and injured dozens more.

The bombing campaign sparked swift condemnation from Iraqi leaders and warnings of a devastating proxy war between the U.S. and Iran, which the Trump administration says is funding and arming Iraqi militias.

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi on Sunday called the U.S. strikes "a violation of Iraqi sovereignty and a dangerous escalation that threatens the security of Iraq and the region."

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