Hundreds of angry supporters of Iraqi Shia militias stormed the US embassy on Tuesday, torching the security kiosk at the entrance of the compound, according to Reuters.

 

Shouting “Down, Down USA!” the crowd smashed security cameras on the wall around the embassy, hurled stones and set up protest tents there.

 

Qais al-Khazali, leader of the Iranian-backed Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia, and many other senior militia leaders were among the protesters.

 

“Americans are unwanted in Iraq. They are a source of evil and we want them to leave,” Khazali told Reuters. Khazali is one of the top Shia militia leaders in Iraq and one of Iran’s most important allies.

 

The American ambassador to Iraq and other staff left Baghdad via the international airport out of security concerns on Tuesday to an unknown destination, according to Al Arabiya sources. One official said a few embassy protection staff remained, according to The Associated Press.

 

Washington on Monday accused Iraqi authorities of having failed to “protect” US interests, the AFP reported.