The current "cycle of violence" in Iraq must come to an end before the situation spirals out of control. The EU calls on all parties involved to show "maximum restraint" and act responsibly. "A new crisis could jeopardize years of efforts to stabilize Iraq," said Foreign Affairs Commissioner Borrell.
The Dutch cabinet is concerned about the situation in the region following the attack on the senior Iranian military figure Soleimani. However, Minister Blok (Foreign Affairs), unlike Dutch parliamentarians, in his initial response said nothing about the American strike in Baghdad.
Blok points to the attacks on the American embassy and on the anti-ISIS coalition troops in recent days. He calls them "unacceptable." The Netherlands has condemned these attacks. According to Blok, Iran fosters instability in the region and Soleimani played a role in that. Blok, speaking on behalf of the cabinet, describes the situation as concerning and serious.
Promotion
Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated after the Americans killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani on Friday in an airstrike at an airport in Iraq. Soleimani was considered the highest-ranking military official and, after Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the most powerful man in Iran. He will be buried on Saturday.
Iran is plotting revenge and threatens to strike back forcefully. President Donald Trump has sent an additional three thousand troops to the area to ensure security in the region. Earlier this week, a battalion of 750 soldiers already preceded them. Since May, the Americans have sent approximately fourteen thousand additional soldiers to the Middle East due to growing unrest.
The Dutch travel advisory for Iraq remains unchanged and negative, the ministry states. Because the ministry has for some time strongly advised against traveling to the capital Baghdad, all Dutch nationals in the region have received a message that they are better off leaving the city.
The Israeli government supports the US following the deadly attack. The US has the right to defend itself, declared Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as does Israel. Israel is a loyal ally of the US and is preparing for possible retaliatory acts by friends of Iran in its region.