Ongoing protests in Basra have forced the closure of the US consulate in the Iraqi port city, and the Pentagon is preparing to evacuate personnel from the site. While the protests have been raging for quite some time, US officials insist they’re entirely Iran’s fault.
“We can see the hand of the ayatollah and his henchmen supporting these attacks on the United States,” insisted Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, despite the protests in Basra being largely related to Iraqi government corruption, and hurting the status of outgoing premier Hayder Abadi, an ally of both the US and Iran.
US officials say the closure of the consulate is because of “specific threats” from the Iranian government and militias. In practice this means militia leaders criticizing the US, and Iraqi ones at that. Shi’ite militias are often blamed on Iran.
The violence in Basra amounts to a Shi’ite militia firing rockets at the Basra airport, which is where the consulate is based. There were no casualties, and this was an Iraqi militia, but US officials say they are blaming Iran, and have threatened to retaliate against Iran over future attacks.
There is an easy solution. Leave.
We’ve never ever ever been a source of threats to people anywhere in the world? See Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Serbia, Vietnam, Iran, the Occupied Territories of Israel,
Pompeo: If you don’t like the heat, get out of the kitchen.
US embassies/consulates are headquarters of CIA-duh, the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism. Pompeo, Bolton, Haley, & Hutchinson bloviate in the finest tradition of Baghdad Bob. Sometimes I wonder how they can keep a straight face. (I suspect it’s because they know that their ample paycheck comes to them courtesy of the United States of Israel’s Bitch.)
Right, the “consulate” in Benghazi was actually a CIA cell composed of mercs transporting arms to Turkey for use in Syria. Ambassador Chris Stevens was in town, his last meeting with the Turkey ambassador, and died in the attack along with a couple mercs. That’s one event Hillary didn’t deserve to take the fall for but no way could she implicate CIA.
Actually it’s the Iraqis in Iraq, not foreigners, which hate the Americans and who can blame them. Their country has been largely destroyed, with many casualties. That’s why Iraq told the US military to leave.
Nov 19, 2008
–a withdrawal of forces agreement: “United States Forces shall withdraw from all Iraqi territory no later than December 31, 2011.”. . .here
But beware: Washington wants to smoke us into thinking Iraq is still a US ally, and Iran is the problem. No way, José
A classic “casus belli”. Shameful.