U.S. calls for peace in Baghdad, says embassy not under threat

Aug. 29 (UPI) -- U.S. officials are calling for peace and dialogue amid reports of "disturbing" violence in Baghdad's Green Zone on Monday after Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr announced his withdrawal from political life.

"Reports of unrest throughout Iraq today are disturbing as Iraqi institutions are not being allowed to operate," a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad said Monday. "The United States is concerned about escalating tensions and urges all parties to remain peaceful and refrain from acts that could lead to a cycle of violence."

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters that the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad is not being evacuated and said reports that the embassy is under threat are false.

"There's no evacuation going on at the embassy and no indication that's going to be required at this time," Kirby said, according to The Hill.

U.S. military conducts airstrikes targeting Iran-backed groups in Syria