Blinken makes surprise trip to Iraq in attempt to ease tensions in the Middle East

Secretary of State Antony Blinken landed unexpectedly in Iraq this Saturday as part of his whirlwind tour of the Middle East. The objective of the trip is to reduce tensions in the region that have been unleashed after the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Blinken was received in Baghdad by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, with whom he held a conversation for more than an hour. During this meeting, crucial issues were addressed, including the security of American facilities.

The Secretary of State explained that Washington considers the attacks by Iranian-backed militias against American personnel "unacceptable" and added that it was of the utmost importance "to send a very clear message to anyone who might seek to take advantage of the conflict in Gaza to threaten our personnel here or anywhere else in the region: Don't do it."

Iraq pledges to prevent militia attacks

After the meeting, Blinken announced that Iraq reaffirmed its commitment to preventing attacks by Iranian-backed militias and mentioned that the Iraqi state is also carrying out investigations to identify those responsible for incidents against American bases.

"[Iraq] is working with its own security forces and others to take necessary action … to seek to prevent them," Blinken said.

Attacks in Iraq against American forces

Since the war between Hamas and Israel began, several American military bases have been attacked, and according to the Pentagon, from October 17 to November 3, at least 17 have been in Iraq.

The Middle East tour

The Secretary of State traveled to Israel on Friday, and on Saturday, he was in Jordan talking with King Abdullah II and participated in ministerial meetings with five of his Arab counterparts. On Sunday morning, he also met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank and later stopped in Cyprus, where he met with the foreign minister and the president. After he visits Iraq, Blinken will head to Turkey.