Baghdad: A government official confirmed that non-essential staffers of the US Embassy in Baghdad were evacuated as part of safety procedures related to the US presence not only in Iraq but in some countries of the Middle East region. The Iraqi side has not recorded any security concerns warranting this evacuation, Iraq News Agency (INA) quoted the official as saying on Wednesday. All Arab and foreign diplomatic missions operating in Iraq enjoy a high level of safety, freedom of communication, and the ability to carry out their activities effectively across the country, he affirmed.
According to Kuwait News Agency, international news agencies reported that Washington has recalled a number of its staff from several embassies in the Middle East, without providing any reasons.