Ordered Departure at US Embassy Baghdad

[biku324]

'Round and 'round we go....I was sent out of Baghdad on 'ordered departure' in May, 2019. We were allowed two bags and no more than 50 lbs, as we had to ride Hueys to a staging area, then rhinos to the Baghdad International Airport. Now it's 'ordered departure' for non-essential personnel again.

The United States Embassy in Baghdad is preparing for an ordered evacuation amid rising security threats in the region, an Iraqi security official and a U.S. source told Reuters on Wednesday.

The Associated Press reported that the order is limited to nonessential personnel at the embassy. https://www.newsweek.com/iraq-us-embassy-evacuated-iran-nuclear-talks-2084155

 

[soFlaNative]

The more things change....

 

[UncleEd]

But I thought everything was being taken care of in that part of the world.

 

[biku324]

Perhaps not.

 

[16thVACav]

Wonder if that is related to recent reports Iran is hardening its position on enriching uranium?

 

[biku324]

It's Iran and noises they're making.

 

[Onomea]

News yesterday said Israel has told the US that it is preparing a strike.

 

[biku324]

Which led Iran to make the usual noises.

 

[Seaburry]

Time to dig out my Dr Strangelove tape! Great movie.

 

[biku324]

Beware of Commie fluoridation!

 

[robertrwalsh]

Trump is either getting serious or wants to look like he is getting serious.

 

[biku324]

Trump is either getting serious or wants to look like he is getting serious.

Well, I was in Baghdad when Trump I was ongoing; we abandoned the new US Consulate in Basra first, then did the ordered departure a few months later. The latter followed extensive protests on Hayy-al-Kindi street directly in front of the primary Embassy gate.

It's hard to know what the inside reasoning might be; for sure no one who knows will vomit it out to news agencies.

 

[Onomea]

Beware of Commie fluoridation!

Precious bodily fluids!

 

[biku324]

And a Mine Shaft Gap!

 

[Rudi]

Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room!

 

[biku324]

Recall that Iraq is 60% Shi'a and 35% Sunn'i - Iran is Shi'a. Adding complication, the Embassy is just across the Tigris River (it isn't the Mississippi) from Sadr City, a huge Shi'a area of Baghdad under the political influence of Muqtada al-Sadr, who is Iran-friendly.

 

[UncleEd]

I'm worn out by all this turmoil. I don't care if humankind is wiped out. But not before I have some spaghetti bolognese and chianti tonight.

 

[biku324]

The world is most assuredly a complicated place.

 

[soFlaNative]

The world is most assuredly a complicated place.

... the more things stay the same.

 

[dockmurgw]

Iran will blow off a pile of shahabs, some will fly wild and kill a few goats, the rest will be intercepted and destroyed, Iran will celebrate with a mass demonstration complete with idiots shooting small arms fire into the air while burning US and Israeli flags...and life goes on.