ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan has advised its nationals to exercise maximum caution while planning visit to Iraq in view of recent developments and the prevailing security situation in the region.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Foreign Office Spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said that those already in Iraq are advised to remain in close contact with the Embassy of Pakistan in Baghdad.
In view of recent developments & prevailing security situation in the region, Pakistani nationals are advised to exercise maximum caution while planning visit to Iraq at this point.
Those already in Iraq are advised to remain in close contact with Pakistan Embassy in Baghdad.
— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) January 8, 2020
Meanwhile, the security situation is further deteriorating in Iran following the assassination of top Iranian Commander Lt General Qassem Soleimani in a US air strike in Baghdad on January 3, 2020.
In retaliation of the killing of Lt General Qassem Soleimani, the Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) targeted two US military airbases in Iraq – Ain al-Assad airbase in Iraqi western Anbar province and another in Erbil – with more than a dozen surface-to-surface ballistic missiles in the early hours of Wednesday.
Iran took & concluded proportionate measures in self-defense under Article 51 of UN Charter targeting base from which cowardly armed attack against our citizens & senior officials were launched.
We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression.
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 8, 2020
The IRGC also advised the United States to withdraw its troops from the region. “We warn US allies providing bases for the [American] terrorist army… that any country serving as the origin of bellicose and aggressive attacks in any form against the Islamic Republic of Iran will be targeted,” it said.
The IRGC said that none of its missiles were intercepted while according to the Iranian State Television, 80 “American terrorists” were killed in the attack.
In a statement, the White House Spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said that the US President Donald Trump was briefed about the Iranian missile attack and he was monitoring the situation closely and consulting with his national security team.
All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2020
