US struggles to evacuate American personnel from facilities under fire in Iraq: Officials
The evacuation of non-emergency government employees from Iraq following escalating tensions with Iran has been a challenging process for the U.S. in recent days. According to two U.S. officials, the State Department’s directive to remove personnel from potential danger zones was met with delays and security concerns.
Diplomatic missions in the Middle East were caught off guard by the sudden escalation of hostilities, leading to a delay in issuing evacuation orders. Military flights to evacuate personnel from the U.S. embassy in Baghdad were also postponed due to hazardous security conditions on the ground.
In a dramatic turn of events, staff at the American consulate in Erbil were forced to shelter-in-place during an attack from Iran. Ultimately, they were evacuated by the British Royal Air Force due to constraints on U.S. military operations in the region.
The U.K. Ministry of Defense confirmed that RAF carried out the evacuation of U.S. consulate staff and contractors to Cyprus in response to the escalating crisis. The State Department emphasized that ensuring the safety of diplomatic personnel and facilities remains a top priority.
Despite the heavily fortified nature of American diplomatic facilities in Iraq, they have been under constant threat from Iran and its proxy militia groups since the recent military actions against Iran.
In a recent incident, a major diplomatic support facility in Baghdad was targeted in a suspected drone attack. The State Department is working closely with the Iraqi government to address security concerns and protect U.S. personnel and assets in the region.
Three security guards were hospitalized following the attack, with their conditions currently under evaluation. The guards, who were in close proximity to the impact sites, are being monitored for any potential injuries.
The Trump administration has expressed disappointment in the Iraqi government’s response to the escalating threats against American interests in the region. Despite calls for increased security measures, challenges persist in ensuring the safety of U.S. personnel and facilities in Iraq.
