Live Updates: US Staff in Baghdad Secure as Pentagon Mulls Sending More Troops Amid Protests

....Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities. They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat. Happy New Year!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 31 December 2019

US President Donald Trump during a phone call with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi underscored the need for the country to protect US personnel and facilities amid protests at the American Embassy in Baghdad, the White House said in a readout of a phone call on Tuesday.

"The two leaders discussed regional security issues and President Trump emphasized the need to protect United States personnel and facilities in Iraq", the readout said.

"The attempt to break the American embassy in Baghdad is a violation of international protocols and agreements binding to the Iraqi government [...] Peaceful protest is a right guaranteed and protected by the constitution but attacking foreign missions is against its interest and international reputation", Salih said in the statement, cited by Reuters.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Seyyed Abbas Mousavi in a published statement "rejected accusations by American officials" against Iran, calling these "empty" and warning the White House against any further statements like this.

The ministry also called on Washington to reject its "destructive policies" in the Middle East.

The US State Department has said in a statement that American personnel in the embassy in Baghdad are secure and that there is no need for an evacuation.

"US personnel are secure and there has been no breach. There are no plans to evacuate Embassy Baghdad", the spokesman said.

The spokesman pointed out that US Ambassador to Iraq Matthew Tueller was to return to the mission from a previously scheduled personal travel.

"Reports that he [Tueller] has been evacuated are false", the spokesman said.

The US Embassy in Baghdad was attacked by demonstrators reportedly shouting "death to America" following airstrikes by American forces in Iraq, The New York Times reported.

Iraqi PM Adil Abdul-Mahdi and President Barham Salih assured Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that the American diplomatic staff in the country will be protected after he stressed that Washington would "defend its people".

Protesters continue to attempt to break inside the US Embassy as American soldiers assigned to guard the diplomatic compound remain barricaded inside, according to media reports.

More than 20 people protesting against the US’ recent attacks on Iraqi Shia militant targets have been injured "by bullets and tear gas bombs" during mass rallies near the US Embassy, the Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces' press office said

Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi has said in a statement that any aggression against embassies or foreign representations will be prevented and punished by law.

"We recall that any aggression or harassment of foreign embassies will be firmly prohibited by the security forces", Abdel Mahdi's office said, several hours after the strike began.

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القوات العسكرية الأمريكية داخل استعلامات السفارة الامريكية ببغداد

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U.S armed forces inside the reception office of the U.S embassy in #Baghdad
Video by : PMF protesters pic.twitter.com/CTAwHwGcS6

— IraqiRevolution (@IRaqiRev) December 31, 2019

#BREAKING: Thousands of Iraqis mostly #IRGC backed #PMU members are now protesting in front of #US Embassy in #GreenZone,#Baghdad. They have set its wall & entrance on fire & are trying to enter its building. If they enter the building, #Iraq Special Forces will open fire at them pic.twitter.com/4jrMBAxN2K

— Babak Taghvaee (@BabakTaghvaee) December 31, 2019

#KataibHezbollah flag flying over #US embassy in #Baghdad. pic.twitter.com/KOI2eqvcnV

— Barzan Sadiq (@BarzanSadiq) December 31, 2019

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محاصرة استعلامات السفارة الامريكية ببغداد من قبل محتجو الحشد الشعبي.
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BREAKING
PMF crowds surround the reception office of the U.S embassy in #Baghdad pic.twitter.com/v0llBMm5eT

— IraqiRevolution (@IRaqiRev) December 31, 2019