City
Epaper

US Vice President Mike Pence makes unscheduled visit to Iraq

By IANS | Updated: November 24, 2019 02:20 IST

Amid anti-government protests that have taken to the streets in Iraq over the last few weeks, US Vice-President Mike Pence on Saturday made an unscheduled visit to the Arab country.

Open in App

During a visit surrounded by secrecy, Pence and his wife Karen visited US troops deployed in Iraq, the Efe news reported.

He tweeted: "Happy Thanksgiving from Iraq. @SecondLady and I are so honored to be with our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines here in Iraq.

"We are so proud of you and thankful for you all."

The visit came amid protests that erupted on October 1 and spread through the capital and other regions of Iraq due to outrage over the lack of public services and employment opportunities.

At least 320 people have died and more than 15,000 others have been injured in the ongoing unrest, including members of security forces, according to figures issued by the Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights.

A month ago, US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper paid an unscheduled visit to Iraq, coinciding with the arrival of US troops in the country after their withdrawal from northern Syria.

The US took the action after Turkey had launched an offensive to establish a safe zone with the aim of repatriate the Syrian refugees.

America also announced a decision to reinforce its presence near Syrian oil fields to prevent fighters from the Islamic State terror organization from getting to them.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: IraqusSyriaKarenPence
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalOrganic Ground Beef Recalled Over E. Coli Fears in US - Is Yours Affected?

InternationalTennessee: One Killed, Several Injured After Woman Suffers Seizure While Driving, Hits Pedestrians and Vehicles in Gatlinburg

InternationalUS: 250 Million Bees Escape After Semi-Truck Overturns in Whatcom County; Weidkamp Road Closed to Traffic

InternationalSan Diego Plane Crash: Drummer Daniel Williams Among 6 Killed After Small Jet Crashes Into Neighbourhood in California (Watch Video)

InternationalUS Rejects Indian Mango Shipments Worth Rs 4.28 Crore Over Documentation Issues

International Realted Stories

InternationalOsaka Gas India powers ahead with clean energy vision

InternationalSouth Korea President Lee's envisioned meeting with Trump in Canada won't take place due to Trump's early G7 exit

InternationalOil prices continue to surge amid growing Israel-Iran tensions

InternationalPeople have negative opinion about Khalistanis here, says Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman

InternationalRussia's security chief in Pyongyang for meeting with North Korea's Kim: Report