Romney Issues Statement As State Dept. Urges U.S. Citizens To Leave Iraq
Jan 3, 2020, 6:18 AM
Quasem Soleimani Photo: sayyed shahab-o- din vajedi [CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)]
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)
The Iranian National Security Council is holding an urgent session after one of their top military officials was killed in a U.S. airstrike in Iraq.
The strike, which happened at the Baghdad International Airport, killed Iran Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani. The Pentagon confirmed the strike, saying President Donald Trump ordered the “decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad.”
Sen. Mitt Romney, who is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and deals with the ongoings in the Middle East, released a statement on Soleimani’s death, calling him a “depraved terrorist”:
Qassem Soleimani was a depraved terrorist who had the blood of hundreds of American servicemen and women on his hands, and who was doubtlessly planning operations to further harm our citizens and allies.
We remember and honor the sacrifice of those servicemen and women, and we commend our brave troops and intel officers who carried out this successful mission. At this time of increased tension in the region, the U.S. must take necessary steps to protect our personnel there and beyond.
With ever increasing challenges confronting us in the Middle East, it is imperative that the U.S. and our allies articulate & pursue a coherent strategy for protecting our security interests in the region. I will be pressing the Administration for additional details in the days ahead.
Officials said Soleimani authorized attacks in Iraq that claimed the lives of American troops, including the recent violence at the U.S.-Iraq embassy. It’s currently unknown how many other people were killed during the air strike.
Due to the situation, U.S. Department of State has issued a security alert for Americans in Iraq. In a tweet sent Friday, the department urged U.S. citizens to depart Iraq “immediately.”
“Due to Iranian-backed militia attacks at the U.S. Embassy compound, all consular operations are suspended. U.S. citizens should not approach the Embassy,” according to the tweet.
#Iraq: Due to heightened tensions in Iraq and the region, we urge U.S. citizens to depart Iraq immediately. Due to Iranian-backed militia attacks at the U.S. Embassy compound, all consular operations are suspended. U.S. citizens should not approach the Embassy. pic.twitter.com/rdRce3Qr4a
— Travel – State Dept (@TravelGov) January 3, 2020
U.S. citizens who have loved ones in Iraq can call 205-501-4444 or 888-407-4747 to contact the Department of State.
The strike is also having a big impact on stocks around the world. The price of oil has already jumped by $.
