The United States has begun evacuating a number of foreign employees working in logistics support roles at its embassy in Baghdad, as part of a broader effort by the U.S. State Department to reduce operational costs across its global missions.
According to Al Arabiya and Al Hadath, the US sources said, the move is not linked to immediate security threats but stems from a comprehensive review of embassy staffing needs and expenditures, particularly in regions undergoing political or economic shifts.
The sources added that the policy includes scaling back the number of foreign workers involved in non-essential services, especially those from Southeast Asia employed in logistics and public service roles within the embassy compound.
Despite official claims that the decision is economically driven, concerns remain about the region’s security climate. Earlier on Wednesday, an Iraqi security official and a U.S. source indicated that the embassy is also preparing for a potential orderly evacuation amid rising security tensions.
Compounding the unease, Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasserzadeh warned earlier today that Tehran would target U.S. bases in the region if nuclear negotiations collapse or a military conflict with Washington erupts.
