Iraq Parliament votes for travel ban on US citizens

The Iraqi Parliament has voted to call on the government to enact a reciprocal travel ban on Americans if Washington does not withdraw its decision to restrict the entry of Iraqis.

The call is a response to United States President Donald Trump's executive order barring citizens of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya and Yemen from entering the US for at least 90 days.

Iraqi lawmakers called on the government to 'respond in kind to the American decision in the event that the American side does not withdraw its decision', agency reports say, quoting text of the decision that was read at the session.

Trump's decision led to the detention of incoming refugees at US airports, sparking protests, legal challenges and widespread condemnation from rights groups.

And it has led to a growing backlash inside Iraq that could undermine relations between Baghdad and the US amid the battle for Mosul, the largest military operation yet in the war against the Islamic State group. -- Agencies

IMAGE: An imam talks about a temporary travel ban signed by US President Donald Trump in an executive order during a protest in Dearborn, Michigan. Photograph: Rebecca Cook/Reuters