Iraq ramp up security in Baghdad's Green Zone after US airstrikes on Iran

Tensions rise in Iraq after Saturday's U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, with Baghdad intensifying security measures in the Green Zone and a mass evacuation of U.S. embassy personnel underway.

The Iraqi Security Forces have deployed SWAT teams and armored vehicles in the Green Zone, particularly heavily in areas near the U.S. embassy. Temporary cordons were established around the diplomatic premises, barring access of unauthorized personnel. According to sources in the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, over 500 staff members and contractors associated with the U.S. embassy have already left the country.

Meanwhile, Shia militias associated with Iran in Iraq have issued statements over the past days, threatening retaliatory attacks on U.S. military bases in the Middle East in response to the strikes on Iran. The Iraqi government is still in communication with radical militias to prevent further escalation of the situation.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani pointed out in Monday's phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin that the U.S. military aircraft intruded Iraqi airspace while carrying out the attacks on Iran.

Al-Sudani condemned the violation of Iraqi airspace by U.S. and Israeli aircraft, stressing Iraq's commitment to upholding its sovereignty and calling on the UN Security Council to fulfill its core responsibility in halting the war and intensifying diplomatic efforts.

Multiple Iraqi parliament members and religious leaders have voiced criticism against the U.S. for its hypocrisy, demanding the Iraqi government to strengthen airspace control and calling for withdrawal of the U.S.-led coalition forces from Iraq, the prime minister said.

Small-scale protests have also broken out in Bagdad and Najaf, with demonstrators holding banners saying "Defend sovereignty, oppose occupation," requiring the government to take a tougher stance against the U.S. military operations.

Facing growing pressures from multiple sides, the Iraqi government is reassessing its security and military cooperation framework with the U.S.

According to some analysts, if the U.S. continues to ignore Iraqi sovereignty and take further military actions against Iran, the U.S.-Iraq relationship might face challenges.

Iraq ramp up security in Baghdad's Green Zone after US airstrikes on Iran

Iraq ramp up security in Baghdad's Green Zone after US airstrikes on Iran

Iraq ramp up security in Baghdad's Green Zone after US airstrikes on Iran

Iraq ramp up security in Baghdad's Green Zone after US airstrikes on Iran

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday chaired a State Council executive meeting during which arrangements were made to implement a package of policies that will boost domestic demand by leveraging coordinated fiscal and financial measures.

The meeting noted that the package is an important measure to expand effective demand and innovate the approaches of macro-control.

Efforts should be made to refine loan interest subsidy policies for businesses in the services sector and personal consumption, aiming to expand the supply of high-quality services and boost household purchasing power, the meeting said.

It said that loan interest subsidy policies will be implemented for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, with an eye to bolstering private investment, and to lowering financing thresholds and costs for companies.

It stressed that basic public services should be provided based on an individual's place of permanent residence. Efforts will be made to address the most pressing concerns of permanent residents without a local household registration, and on improving their access to education, healthcare and employment services.

Chinese premier stresses coordination of fiscal, financial policies to boost demand