The United States is urging Iraq to take steps to help prevent bases where U.S. troops are stationed from being shelled amid the country’s mass anti-government protests.
Secretary of Defense Mark Esper expressed concern over the “targeting of some places,” during a Dec. 16 call with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, according to a statement from the Iraqi leader’s office. Abdul Mahdi resigned last month amid protests over unemployment, government corruption, and a lack of basic services and is now carrying out his duties in a caretaker capacity.
