Iraq to Shrink US Embassy Staff in Baghdad

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, the Foreign Relations Committee of the Iraqi Parliament intends to present a binding draft law aimed at reducing the number of political and administrative staff at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. This initiative was announced following data published by the Mehr News Agency, which cited Al-Maalomah.

Mokhtar Yousef, a member of the committee, stated that a formal proposal would be submitted imminently for immediate action to decrease the U.S. Embassy’s personnel in Baghdad. Yousef emphasized that the current number of individuals stationed at the embassy is exceptionally high and does not align with typical international standards.

Yousef further elaborated that many countries utilize their embassies as official cover for intelligence operations. The substantial number of U.S. Embassy staff in Baghdad has reportedly become a genuine security concern, especially in light of monitoring political figures and gathering intelligence. Current estimates suggest the number of U.S. Embassy employees in Baghdad ranges between 350 and 500 individuals.