Iraqi religious leader demands closure of American embassy

Influential religious leader Moqtada Sadr called on the Iraqi government Friday to close the United States embassy in Baghdad because of Washington's "unconditional support" for Israel in its war with Palestinian terrorist group Hamas.

"If the government and parliament do not respond, we will take a different position that we will announce later," the Shiite cleric, who often criticizes the government, warned on X.

On 22 October, Washington ordered all non-essential staff to leave its embassy in Baghdad's high security Green Zone and its consulate in Arbil, capital of the autonomous Kurdistan region.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has criticized the "Zionist occupation" since Israel began its bombardment of Gaza, calling it a "genocide" of the Palestinian people.

On 7 October, Hamas militants stormed into Israel from the Gaza Strip, killing at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians, who were shot, mutilated, or burned to death on the first day of the raid, according to Israeli officials.

Israel says around 1,500 Hamas fighters were killed in clashes before its army regained control of the areas under attack.

More than 7,300 Palestinians, mainly civilians, have been killed across Gaza in relentless Israeli bombardments in response to the attacks, according to the Hamas health ministry in the territory.

Iraqis stage regular protests to condemn the Israeli bombing and in support of the Palestinians.

Militia attacks

All Iraqi political factions support the Palestinian cause, and like its neighbor Iran, Israel's sworn enemy, Iraq does not recognize the Israeli state.

US forces and their coalition allies in Iraq have been the target of attacks mostly claimed by the group "Islamic Resistance in Iraq" on Telegram channels tied to pro-Iran factions.

On Thursday, the Pentagon said there had been 16 such attacks in Iraq and Syria this month, and blamed "Iranian-supported militias."

The Baghdad government is supported by parties that have close links with Tehran, but it is working to maintain relations with the US, which has 2,500 soldiers on Iraqi territory.

On Monday, Baghdad called the attacks on American soldiers "unacceptable" and promised to investigate.

WITH AFP