Furious Iraqis withdraw from US embassy siege in Baghdad

Iraq is caught in the middle of the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - DECEMBER 31: Outraged Iraqi protesters storm the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, protesting Washington's attacks on armed battalions belong to Iranian-backed Hashd al-Shaabi forces o
Outraged Iraqi protesters storm the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad
(Image credit: 2019 Anadolu Agency)

After two days of tension, thousands of pro-Iranian protesters dispersed from their encampment around the US embassy in Baghdad yesterday, cooling a siege that has trapped embassy staff inside the compound.

The demonstrations represented a major crisis for the Trump administration, and have called into question its relationship with the Iraqi government - a strategic partner.

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William Gritten

William Gritten is a London-born, New York-based strategist and writer focusing on politics and international affairs.