An Iran-backed Iraqi militia broke up its encampment outside the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, a move that could ease tensions between Tehran and Washington that escalated after fighters attacked the compound.
The Popular Mobilization Units had called on the fighters and their supporters to leave the area Wednesday, out of respect for the decision of the Iraqi government that ordered this and to preserve the stature of the state. The last protesters were gone by late afternoon and moved their tent camp across the Tigris River to an area facing the embassy, militia members reported.
The assault on the embassy Tuesday was precipitated by deadly U.S. airstrikes against Kataieb Hezbollah bases in Iraq and Syria earlier in the week, and carried out by group fighters and their supporters.