Iraqis seek Trump retaliation by banning Americans entering the country

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Government officials and groups in Iraq called for the expulsion of Americans in retaliation to the US President’s executive order on Friday to suspend entry travelers from seven countries including Iraqis.

The Iraqi Foreign Relations Committee in the parliament held a meeting on Sunday and called on the federal government to issue a decision to ban American nationals from entering the country in response to the new US administration’s executive order.

“Iraq is on the forefront of the battle against terrorism,” Iraqi MP and a member of the Foreign Relations Committee Hassan Shwird stated. “It is unbelievable to treat Iraqis this way.”

Moreover, Muqtada al-Sadr, one of the influential Shia clerics in Iraq, released a statement on his website calling for the expulsion of Americans in the country.

“It would be arrogant for [Americans] to enter Iraq and other countries freely while barring them entrance to your country...therefore, you should get your nationals out,” Reuters quoted him.

Ahmed Assadi, the Spokesperson of Hashd al-Shaabi armed forces known as the Popular Mobilization Forces trained by Iran in the fight against the Islamic State, released a statement on his social media account.

Assadi urged the Prime Minister of Iraq Haider al-Abadi to treat American nationals in the same executive order issued by President Trump’s new administration.

Trump’s executive order angered the nationals of the seven countries, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen who labeled the decision as discriminatory.

Moreover, American citizens began protests all over the US to show their support for the people targeted by the travel ban.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany