The US has ordered their citizens to leave Iraq with “immediate” effect over serious concerns there could be a full blow war after the killing of Iran’s top general in Baghdad overnight.
Under the order of President Trump, the US killed major general Qasem Soleimani who was tipped to be the next president of Iran.
He was killed in a targeted drone strike at Baghdad’s international airport on Friday. Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned there will be “severe revenge” to the assassination.
On state TV the supreme leader warned “All enemies should know that the jihad of resistance will continue with a doubled motivation, and a definite victory awaits the fighters in the holy war.”
The US embassy in Baghdad said, “Due to heightened tensions in Iraq and the region, the US Embassy urges American citizens to heed the January 2020 Travel Advisory and depart Iraq immediately. US citizens should depart via airline while possible, and failing that, to other countries via land.
“Due to Iranian-backed militia attacks at the US Embassy compound, all public consular operations are suspended until further notice.
“US citizens should not approach the Embassy. The US Consulate General in Erbil is open for visa and American Citizen Services appointments, including passport issuance.”
Iranian president Hassan Rouhani also warned there is no doubt that “other freedom seeking countries” within the region will take revenge.
Rouhani said, “Soleimani’s martyrdom will make Iran more decisive to resist America’s expansionism and to defend our Islamic values.”
Mohammad Javad Zari Iran’s foreign minister warned the US, “The brutality and stupidity of American terrorist forces in assassinating Commander Soleimani… will undoubtedly make the tree of resistance in the region and the world more prosperous.”
The US state department gave a severe warning that US citizens are at “high risk for violence and kidnapping” in Iraq as there ae many insurgent groups who are active in the region.
The state department said, “US citizens in Iraq are at high risk for violence and kidnapping.
“Numerous terrorist and insurgent groups are active in Iraq and regularly attack both Iraqi security forces and civilians.
“Anti-US sectarian militias may also threaten US citizens and Western companies throughout Iraq.
“Attacks by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) occur in many areas of the country, including Baghdad.”
Lebanon’s Hezbollah warned that they will “pursue his path and work night and day to achieve his goals” after the death of Soleimani.
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