The US State Department warned on Saturday of the dangers of violence and kidnapping facing American citizens in Iraq, saying that the Iraqi government cannot guarantee their safety in the event of a sudden outbreak of violence or armed conflicts, at a time when Baghdad faces security and financial challenges linked to the activity of armed factions and their relations with Washington.
The ministry said, in a statement, that American government employees working in Iraq are obligated to live and work according to strict security protocols due to threats, noting the possibility of additional adjustments to their conditions depending on security developments.
She added that travel to Iraq requires special approvals for US government employees, warning that anti-American armed groups pose a threat to Americans and international companies.
The ministry stated that armed groups, including factions allied with Iran and ISIS, are inciting the targeting of American people and interests in Iraq, pointing to attacks carried out using explosive devices, indirect bombing, and drones in various regions, including major cities.
The US State Department called on its citizens to prepare plans to leave Iraq that do not depend on US government assistance, to make personal security arrangements in coordination with employers or hosts, and to review instructions related to travel to high-risk areas.
The warnings come in light of escalating regional tension and fears of a widening scope of confrontation between the United States and Israel on the one hand, and Iran and its allies on the other hand, and the security repercussions that may ensue in Iraq, where armed factions linked to Tehran are active.
In a related context, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said, in an interview with state television on Friday evening, that American fears about the dollar reaching armed factions affected the volume of cash supplies to Iraq, indicating that the government is seeking to obtain payments of up to 2.5 billion dollars to address the gap in the exchange rate.
Al-Zaidi added that the government has increased the supply of cash dollars from $140 million to $500 million per month, and is working to increase US cash shipments to more than one billion dollars per month.
For his part, Sajjad Salem, a former member of parliament, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Iraqi armed factions are linked to the Iranian decision, and that Tehran influences their emergence, formation, and integration into the political process, as well as protecting them.
The battle over the Ministry of Energy between the Lebanese Forces Party and the Free Patriotic Movement moved from political platforms to the judiciary, with the exchange of complaints and information regarding electricity contracts, fuel imports, fuel pricing, and private generators. However, the intensification of the confrontation, and the accompanying accusations of wasting public money and bearing millions of dollars in losses on the Lebanese, have not yet translated into summons for investigation, pending the completion of the files with documents and evidence.
A judicial source explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that the complaints and information provided were “incomplete.” He said, “The summonses are awaiting the completion of the files and their strengthening with documents and evidence, so that the actual investigation can begin.” He stressed that “regardless of whether the backgrounds are political, the judiciary will deal with these files seriously and take the necessary measures.”
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi agreed to finance the construction of facilities and buildings for the Al-Jumaimah border crossing with Saudi Arabia, in a move aimed at completing the requirements for its expected opening in 2027, and strengthening trade ties between the two countries.
Muthanna Governor Tawfiq Al-Hassani said, on Saturday, in a statement, that the rehabilitation of the road linking the city of Samawah and the port with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in conjunction with the implementation of its facilities, would contribute to stimulating commercial movement and strengthening the local economy, as well as allowing the governorate to benefit from the revenues of the border crossings in accordance with the approved legal frameworks.
