Iraq's parliament votes to "retaliate" against Trump's travel ban

PanARMENIAN.Net - Iraq's parliament has voted to take "reciprocal measures" in reaction to the new U.S. travel ban on citizens from several predominantly Muslim countries, The Independent reports.

The majority vote - which is binding - means parliament will ask the government to retaliate by implementing visa restrictions on Americans visiting Iraq, a parliamentary official said on Monday.

It is not immediately clear whether the vote will impact American civilians and military already living and working in Iraq, as well as those who seek to enter. No details were offered by parliamentary spokespeople.

It is also not understood how the measures will affect cooperation in the ongoing battle against Isis.

Around 5,000 U.S. troops are currently deployed in the country to assist Iraqi forces in the fight against the jihadi militants.

The vote follows Sunday's recommendation from the Baghdad's government's foreign affairs committee to take action.

“Iraq is in the frontline of the war of terrorism... and it is unfair that the Iraqis are treated in this way,” the committee said in a statement.

Iraq is among the seven countries affected by the executive order on immigration signed into law by U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday.

Among other measures, the new legislation temporarily suspends the U.S.’ refugee resettlement programme, and bars even valid visa-holding citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Sudan and Yemen from entering the country for 90 days.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has not yet reacted to the ban.