Protesters denouncing US airstrikes on the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbolla militia group attacked the US embassy in Baghdad on December 31, 2019. Demonstrations turned violent as protesters smashed windows, burned security posts, and threw rocks as security forces retaliated by firing tear gas. On December 29, 2019, the US carried out five airstrikes in Iraq and Syria on facilities controlled by Kataib Hezbolla, killing at least 25 people. Washington has stated the attacks were in retaliation against a rocket attack on an Iraqi military base that killed an American civilian contractor.
Strikes and protests come at a time of increasing tensions between the US and Iran, and have stoked fears of a new proxy war in the Middle East as Washington has continued its maximum pressure campaign on Iran, with Iran responding with maximum resistance. The development shows the risks inherent in the Trump administration’s conflict with Iran. In addition, the incident raises questions about the US-Iraqi relations, as Iraq has struggled with balancing its alliance with rivals US and Iran. The ease with which protestors were able to storm the most heavily guarded zone in Baghdad prompted the speculation that they received permission from security, indicating deteriorating relations between the US and Iraq.
