The parliament in Iraq on Monday voted in support of government to enact a reciprocal travel ban on Americans if Washington does not withdraw its decision to bar the entry of Iraqis.
The vote on Monday by Iraqi lawmaker was a response to President Donald Trump’s executive order barring citizens of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya and
Yemen from entering the US for at least 90 days.
Parliament called on the Iraqi government to “respond in kind to the American decision in the event that the American side does not withdraw its decision”, a parliamentary official who was present for the vote told AFP, quoting text of the decision that was read at the session.
“Parliament voted by majority on calling on the Iraqi government and the foreign ministry to respond in kind,” MP Hakim al-Zamili said.
Sadiq al-Laban, another lawmaker, confirmed that “the vote was for a call on the government” to enact reciprocal measures.
“We are against this stance from the new administration,” Laban said, adding: “We hope that the American administration will rethink… this decision.”
Trump’s decision led to the detention of incoming refugees at US airports, sparking protests, legal challenges and widespread condemnation from rights groups.
And it has led to a growing backlash inside Iraq that could undermine relations between Baghdad and the US amid the battle for Mosul, the largest military
operation yet in the war against the Islamic State group.
Source: AFP
