Hezbollah sympathizers pushed down a gate and set some fires at the American Embassy.
Thousands of angry Iraqi protesters gathered at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday, railing against deadly U.S. airstrikes this week that killed 25 fighters from an Iran-backed Shiite militia in Iraq. Shouting “Down, Down USA!,” several dozen from the crowd managed to break down the gate and get inside the embassy compound grounds after hurling bottles, setting fires and smashing security cameras outside.
Videos posted to social media showed a group of at least two dozen crammed into a courtyard area inside the main gate, bashing on windows and doors trying to get further into the heavily fortified compound.
Source: CBS
Pompeo and Esper laid out exactly what’s going on.
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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2019
Yes, you read that correctly. Iraq had to be TOLD to use its forces to protect the Embassy from the rioters.
At first, they did nothing to prevent the rioters from running wild.
US Marines were firing rubber and bullets and tear gas into the crowd until Iraqi troops came between them and the American Embassy.
Happening Now: Protests at the US Embassy in Baghdad.
“Allahu Akbar, America is the biggest Satan.” pic.twitter.com/ODaW7zTJHN
— Imam of Peace (@Imamofpeace) December 31, 2019
Is CNN not showing Hezbollah setting fires and tearing down the US Embassy?
This is militia not protesters pic.twitter.com/eOoA3ZKkq8
— Jack Posobiec ?? (@JackPosobiec) December 31, 2019
PMF supporters are now posting Snapchat videos from inside US Embassy Baghdad pic.twitter.com/JGYNoSx38T
— Jack Posobiec ?? (@JackPosobiec) December 31, 2019
There are a lot of conflicting reports as to what — precisely — is happening.
At the time of this writing we can say — reports of the Ambassador being evacuated are incorrect. No Americans were hurt, and the main building has not been breached.
