U.S. Embassy security forces use stun grenades to disperse protesters and militia fighters during a protest to condemn air strikes on bases belonging to Hashd al-Shaabi (paramilitary forces), outside the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq on Jan. 1, 2020. (Thaier al-Sudani/Reuters)

Iran-Backed Militias Withdraw From US Embassy After Security Forces Fire Rubber Bullets, Tear Gas

Iran-backed militias withdrew from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq on Jan. 1 after security forces fired rubber bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the mob of Iraqis who gathered at the compound.

The withdrawal came a day after a mix of protesters and militia members and supporters stormed the embassy’s outer walls, prompting a contingent of U.S. Marines to deploy from Kuwait.

The attack today was orchestrated by terrorists – Abu Mahdi al Muhandis and Qays al-Khazali – and abetted by Iranian proxies – Hadi al Amari and Faleh al-Fayyad. All are pictured below outside our embassy. pic.twitter.com/2QfGGrfmDd — Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) December 31, 2019

The groups gained access to restricted areas and battered walls and windows but were prevented from getting into the buildings by Iraqi forces, U.S. security forces, and Apache helicopters. Some 100 Marines arrived just before midnight from Kuwait to reinforce the security forces at the embassy.

On Wednesday, demonstrators hurled rocks at the building while security forces fired tear gas and stun grenades in an attempt to disperse them. By mid-afternoon, most of the protesters appeared to have obeyed a call to withdraw, issued by the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) umbrella group of mainly Shiite militia, which said the demonstrators’ “message has been heard.”

Iraqi security forces deploy during the second day of protests at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, Iraq on Jan. 1, 2020. (DoD/Lt. Col. Adrian Weale/Handout via Reuters)

The group said the demonstrators should withdraw in deference to the Iraqi government which sought “to preserve the prestige of the state.”

The groups were ostensibly protesting the recent U.S. airstrikes of Iran-backed Kata’ib Hezbollah, which were made in retaliation for missile attacks that killed a U.S. contractor at a base in northern Iraq.

Crowds rallied on Tuesday to protest, chanting “death to America,” setting fires, throwing rocks, and smashing surveillance cameras. They breached an outer perimeter wall but did not enter the main compound.

Smoke rises from the reception room of the U.S. embassy that was burned by Pro-Iranian militiamen and their supporters, in Baghdad, Iraq on Jan. 1, 2020. (Khalid Mohammed/AP Photo)

The huge embassy, built along the banks of the Tigris River in central Baghdad’s fortified “green zone” during American occupation following the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, is the biggest U.S. diplomatic mission in the world.

Early reports said U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Matthew Tueller and other personnel at the embassy were evacuated, but the State Department later said that Tueller was on a previously scheduled trip, that he was returning to the embassy, and that everyone inside was safe.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said late Tuesday on Fox News that there were no plans to evacuate the embassy or pull out any of the 5,000 troops in Iraq.

“The embassy is being monitored. It’s safe. The actions that we took today were prudent. Under President Trump’s direction, our team worked together today to quickly, decisively, prudently take the appropriate responses to keep our American people safe,” Pompeo said during an appearance on CBS.

Soldiers board a C-17 aircraft on Jan. 1, 2020 at Fort Bragg, N.C., to be deployed in Iraq. (Melissa Sue Gerrits/The Fayetteville Observer via AP)

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said the United States was sending about 750 additional troops to the Middle East after Tuesday’s attack on the embassy.

“This deployment is an appropriate and precautionary action taken in response to increased threat levels against U.S. personnel and facilities, such as we witnessed in Baghdad today,” he said in a statement. “The United States will protect our people and interests anywhere they are found around the world.”

President Donald Trump fired off multiple tweets about the situation on Tuesday, saying the embassy was safe.

“Many of our great Warfighters, together with the most lethal military equipment in the world, was immediately rushed to the site. Thank you to the President & Prime Minister of Iraq for their rapid response upon request,” he wrote in one tweet.

“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!”

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a top Trump ally, issued a warning to Iran on Twitter: “President Trump, unlike President Obama, will hold you accountable for threats against Americans and hit you where it hurts the most. Choose your battles wisely.”

President Trump, unlike President Obama, will hold you accountable for threats against Americans and hit you where it hurts the most. Choose your battles wisely. (3/4) — Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) December 31, 2019

The Iranian regime’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in his own tweet that the United States “can’t do anything.”

“If you were logical—which you’re not—you’d see that your crimes in Iraq, Afghanistan… have made nations hate you,” Khamenei added.

Trump told reporters that he does not want to go to war with Iran.

“Do I want to? No. I want to have peace. I like peace,” he said. “And Iran should want to have peace more than anybody. So I don’t see that happening.”

Reuters contributed to this report.