Philippines order its citizens to leave Iraq

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AA) - The Philippines’ president ordered a mandatory evacuation of its citizens from Iraq following Iran's missile attacks on military bases, local media reported on Wednesday.

Rodrigo Duterte made the order as tension between the U.S. and Iran continues to escalate, local daily The Manila Times reported.

Earlier the government raised the crisis alert level in Iraq, calling for mandatory evacuation, state-run PNA cited Eduardo Menez, foreign affairs assistant secretary, as saying.

There are reportedly around 1,190 documented and 450 undocumented Filipino citizens in Iraq.

Last week's U.S. killing of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani was followed by Iran early Wednesday targeting bases in Iraq where U.S. forces are based.