Seoul: World leaders urged restraint and moved to recall their citizens after Iran fired missiles at U.S.-Iraqi airbases in its first counterattack since the killing of General Qassem Soleimani by American forces.
From Asia to the Americas, worries mounted about an armed conflict spinning out of control, as the tensions roiled global markets. The response showed just how little appetite there was among U.S. allies for another outright war in the vital energy-producing region.
Here are some of the reactions:
Australia
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison directed the country’s chief of defense force to take whatever actions were necessary to protect military and diplomatic personnel. Australia provides military training to the Iraqi army, with about 300 personnel in the country.
Canada
General Jonathan Vance, Canada’s chief of the defense staff, said on Twitter that all deployed military forces were “safe and accounted for” following the missile attacks adding, “we remain vigilant.”
Japan
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will cancel a trip to the Middle East planned to start from this weekend due to the turmoil, Kyodo News reported Wednesday. Top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said the country was deeply concerned about the increased tensions and Tokyo was seeking a diplomatic solution.
India
Indian nationals were advised to avoid all non-essential travel to Iraq until further notice, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Twitter. India, which relies on crude oil from the Middle East to meet almost two-thirds of its needs, reported imports worth $8.35 billion from Iraq in the current fiscal year. The total number of Indians in Iraq is estimated to be between 15,000 and 17,000.
Also read: What is Mahdi Army? The group Iraqi Shia cleric wants to reactivate after Soleimani killing
New Zealand
Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters said the government was concerned at the escalation in hostilities and urged restraint and diplomacy. New Zealand has an estimated 45 military personnel at Camp Taji near Baghdad, where they have been training Iraqi troops. The deployment is scheduled to end in June.
Philippines
The Philippines has ordered thousands of its citizens to evacuate from Iraq as the conflict escalates. The Department of Foreign Affairs said it had raised its highest alert level in Iraq, which requires the evacuation of about 6,000 Philippine citizens. President Rodrigo Duterte had told the military to prepare equipment to help them get out.
South Korea
South Korea’s foreign ministry said it was in contact with Iranian authorities to ensure the safety of its citizens. President Moon Jae-in was closely monitoring the situation, a presidential spokeswoman said.
United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei called for restraint from both sides. “We are hoping the wisdom of both sides will de-escalate the tension,” he said, adding that the oil market was well-supplied to weather the storm. – Bloomberg
Also read: Trump’s killing of Soleimani only feeds Kim Jong Un’s biggest fear
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