US Ambassador: America Will Help Evacuate Wounded Russian Diplomats from Iraq

A convoy of Russian diplomatic staff came under fire yesterday in the outskirts of Baghdad. The BBC reports that 5 people were injured and two underwent operations in a local hospital.

Last night, diplomats from the Russian Embassy in Damascus were awaiting the convoy on the border between Syria and Iraq. An ambulance was also present at the scene. The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry has prepared a special flight to evacuate the injured diplomats.

The Russian Foreign Ministry yesterday summoned the US and Iraqi Ambassadors in Moscow to demand that measures are taken to ensure the safety of Russian citizens and to investigate the incident and punish those responsible. US Ambassador to Russia Alexander Vershbow has expressed his concern over the incident and promised that the coalition will do everything possible to ensure that the convoy reaches Syria safely.