Protesters in Iraq Attack US Embassy over Airstrikes
2020-01-01
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1A large group of protesters, angry over American airstrikes targeting an Iranian-supported militia, attacked the outer edge of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday.
2The protesters threw stones, set fires and damaged property and vehicles.
3Security forces fired tear gas at the group in an effort to bring the situation under control.
4American President Donald Trump blamed Iran for the attack.
5Writing on Twitter, he said: "Iran killed an American contractor, wounding many. We strongly responded, and always will. Now Iran is orchestrating an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. They will be held fully responsible. In addition, we expect Iraq to use its forces to protect the Embassy, and so notified!"
6The protesters were voicing anger over U.S. airstrikes that took place on Sunday killing at least 25 people.
7U.S. officials said the strikes answered a rocket attack on an Iraqi military base on Friday that killed a U.S. defense contract worker.
8The raids targeted areas held by a militia group called Kataeb Hezbollah.
9The group has ties to Iran, but is separate from the group Hezbollah in Lebanon.
10The Iraqi government called the U.S. airstrikes a "flagrant violation" of Iraq's sovereignty.
11The Associated Press reported that Iraqi security forces made no effort to stop the protesters as they marched toward the embassy in the Green Zone.
12The protesters, many of them in militia uniforms, shouted "Death to America."
13They threw stones over the embassy walls and set fire to three trailers used by security guards outside the wall.
14Others smashed the gates used by cars to enter the embassy and came about 200 meters away from the main building.
15A group of U.S. soldiers were seen on the roof of the main building, pointing their guns at the protesters.
16Hours after the violence started, about 30 Iraqi soldiers arrived near the embassy to help control the crowd.
17The AP reported that the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq was traveling outside of the country before Tuesday's attack took place.
18Some embassy staff left through a rear gate and others remained inside "safe" areas within the embassy.
19By Tuesday evening, the protesters set up tents outside the embassy.
20Yellow flags belonging to Iran-backed Shiite militias were flown and anti-U.S. graffiti painted on the wall.
21A spokesman for Kataeb Hezbollah said the sit-in outside the embassy will continue "until American troops leave Iraq and the embassy is closed."
22More than 5,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Iraq to support local forces in the fight against the Islamic State.
23I'm Mario Ritter Jr.
1A large group of protesters, angry over American airstrikes targeting an Iranian-supported militia, attacked the outer edge of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday. 2The protesters threw stones, set fires and damaged property and vehicles. Security forces fired tear gas at the group in an effort to bring the situation under control. 3American President Donald Trump blamed Iran for the attack. Writing on Twitter, he said: "Iran killed an American contractor, wounding many. We strongly responded, and always will. Now Iran is orchestrating an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. They will be held fully responsible. In addition, we expect Iraq to use its forces to protect the Embassy, and so notified!" 4Anger over U.S. airstrikes 5The protesters were voicing anger over U.S. airstrikes that took place on Sunday killing at least 25 people. U.S. officials said the strikes answered a rocket attack on an Iraqi military base on Friday that killed a U.S. defense contract worker. 6The raids targeted areas held by a militia group called Kataeb Hezbollah. The group has ties to Iran, but is separate from the group Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Iraqi government called the U.S. airstrikes a "flagrant violation" of Iraq's sovereignty. 7The Associated Press reported that Iraqi security forces made no effort to stop the protesters as they marched toward the embassy in the Green Zone. 8The protesters, many of them in militia uniforms, shouted "Death to America." They threw stones over the embassy walls and set fire to three trailers used by security guards outside the wall. 9Others smashed the gates used by cars to enter the embassy and came about 200 meters away from the main building. A group of U.S. soldiers were seen on the roof of the main building, pointing their guns at the protesters. Hours after the violence started, about 30 Iraqi soldiers arrived near the embassy to help control the crowd. 10The AP reported that the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq was traveling outside of the country before Tuesday's attack took place. Some embassy staff left through a rear gate and others remained inside "safe" areas within the embassy. 11By Tuesday evening, the protesters set up tents outside the embassy. Yellow flags belonging to Iran-backed Shiite militias were flown and anti-U.S. graffiti painted on the wall. A spokesman for Kataeb Hezbollah said the sit-in outside the embassy will continue "until American troops leave Iraq and the embassy is closed." 12More than 5,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Iraq to support local forces in the fight against the Islamic State. 13I'm Mario Ritter Jr. 14Mario Ritter Jr. adapted this story for VOA Learning English with reporting from AP and Reuters. Hai Do was the editor. 15_____________________________________________________________ 16Words in This Story 17sanctioned -adj. describing something that is officially approved or permitted 18orchestrate -v. to organize or plan 19consequences -n. (pl.) results of an action 20flagrant -adj. not to be ignored 21sovereignty -n. the ability of a country to rule itself